Compositions and methods for treating cancer with anti-BCMA immunotherapy

ABSTRACT

Chimeric antigen receptors containing BCMA antigen binding domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/854,574, filed on May 30, 2019, the entire contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has beensubmitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on May 28, 2020, isnamed Sequence Listing.txt and is 146 kilobytes in size.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This application relates to the field of cancer, particularly to B-cellmaturation antigen (BCMA) antigen binding domains and chimeric antigenreceptors (CARs) containing such BCMA antigen binding domains andmethods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the most deadly threats to human health. In the U.S.alone, cancer affects nearly 1.3 million new patients each year, and isthe second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease,accounting for approximately 1 in 4 deaths. Solid tumors are responsiblefor most of those deaths. Although there have been significant advancesin the medical treatment of certain cancers, the overall 5-year survivalrate for all cancers has improved only by about 10% in the past 20years. Cancers, or malignant tumors, metastasize and grow rapidly in anuncontrolled manner, making treatment extremely difficult.

Multiple myeloma (MM) the second most common blood cancer in the US(after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), with overall 5-year survival rate ofapproximately 50%, whereas types of genetic abnormalities determine theaggressiveness of MM, and older age at diagnosis, higher disease stage,and metastatic disease are associated with lower chances for survival(www.cancer.net).

MM is a multi-organ disease. In MM, the overgrowth of plasma cells inthe bone marrow results in diminished normal hematopoiesis, leading toanemia, thromvocytopenia, and susceptibility to infections. Myelomacells promote bone resorption by osteoclasts, leading to bone pain, boneloss, osteoporosis, fractions, and elevated blood calcium. Secretion ofhigh level monoclonal immunoglobulins by myeloma cells leads to kidneydamage and impaired kidney function. In addition, fractures of thevertebrae can cause elevated pressure on the nerve routes, causingneurologic symptoms, numbness tingling, pain, muscle weakness. MM istwice as prevalent in blacks as whites, and has a slight malepredominance, with the median onset age is 66 years (Landgren O. et al.,Leukemia; Kyle R A et al., Mayo Clin Proc. 2003). An early abnormalityleading to MM, termed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance(MGUS), is an asymptomatic condition present in 3%-4% of the generalpopulation, which raises the risk of developing MM later in life by 1%per year (Kyle R. A et al., N Engl J Med. 2002 346.8 (2002): 564-569;Landgren O., et al., Blood. 2009 May 28; 113(22):5412-7). Anintermediate stage condition leading up to the development of MM,smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), is associated with 10% higher risk ofprogression to MM (Kyle R. A et al., N Engl J Med. 356.25 (2007):2582-2590).

First line therapies of MM include combination regiments, often acombination therapy consisting of thalidomide, bortezomib andlenalidomide, and in some cases carfilzomib, pomalidomide andpanobinostat. However, each of these se medications carries a risk oftoxicity. For example, in one MM study the combination of lenalidomideand dexamethasone was associated with garage 3+ toxicity in almost allpatients enrolled in the study, as well as early mortality, and venousembolism (Blood 105:4050-4053, 2005). Furthermore, frail or elderlypatients, may not be able to tolerate the triple regiment, bringing downthe chances of successful therapy. For such patients, alternativetreatment approaches are needed. In eligible patients, high dosechemotherapy in combination with autologous stem cell transplant ispracticed (Attal M. et al., N Engl J Med. 1996; Child J. A. et al., NEngl J Med. 2003). In some cases, a tandem ASCT is administered, aimingto improve chances of survival (Krishnan A et al., Lancet Oncol. 2011;Fermand J et al., Hematol J. 2003; 4(Suppl 1):S59). This approach,however, is associated with additional costs, medical risks anddiscomfort for the patients. If patients are not eligible for ASCT,however, their chances of recovery are low under currently availabletreatment options.

Treatment consolidation, and management of relapsed or refractory MMinvolves drug combinations, such as lenalidomide, pomalidomide,cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, which carry risk of treatment-relatedtoxicities and are not curative.

Two monoclonal antibodies, daratumumab and SAR650984, targeting the CD38molecule, have been used in relapsed and refractory MM (Sagar Lonial etJ Clin Oncol. 2015; 33 (suppl; abstr LBA8512); Plesner T, Jeckert J etal., CCR 2014, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-14-0695; Front Immunol. 2018;9:1228. doi:10.3389). A monoclonal antibody elotuzumab, targeting SLAMF7(signaling lymphocytic activation molecule F7), has shown activity inrelapsed MM when given is part of combination therapy (Lonial S, et al.,N Engl J Med. 2015). However, better treatment options are necessary toimprove success rate for relapsed or refractory disease, for thetreatment of elderly of frail patients, and as an alternative to thecurrently accepted first-line therapies, in order to reduce side effectsand improve efficacy.

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA, CD269, TNFRSF17) is a marker of MMcells, and is expressed on early 100% MM tumor cells, while normaltissue expression is restricted to plasma cells and a subset of matureB-cells (Avery D T et al., J Clin Invest. 2003, 112(2)). In addition toMM, BCMA is expressed on a subset of lymphoma clinical samples, and inmany lymphoma cell lines, including Raji Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma line(Thompson J S et al., Exp Med. 2000 Jul. 3; 192(1):129-35.; Rennert P etal., J Exp Med. 2000 Dec. 4; 192(11):1677-84).

CAR approaches targeting BCMA are superior to small molecule combinationtherapy because they may achieve better efficacy in eliminatingBCMA-positive tumor cells and tumor stem cells, and because they avoidthe toxicities associated with combination therapy. In addition, CAR Ttreatment may obviate the need for hematopoetic stem cell transplant, ora tandem transplant an and improve treatment's long-term tolerability,efficacy and survival.

Fully-human BCMA CARs represent an improvement over prior art becauseunique human ScFv sequences are used in the CAR design, as opposed tomurine-derived ScFvs employed in CAR design elsewhere. Mouse-derivedsequences carry the risk of immunogenicity, and may induce allergic oranaphylactic responses in patients, leading to CAR T elimination, orlife-threatening anaphylaxis.

Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) are hybrid molecules comprising threeessential units: (1) an extracellular antigen-binding motif, (2)linking/transmembrane motifs, and (3) intracellular T-cell signalingmotifs (Long A H, Haso W M, Orentas R J. Lessons learned from ahighly-active CD22-specific chimeric antigen receptor. Oncoimmunology.2013; 2 (4):e23621). The antigen-binding motif of a CAR is commonlyfashioned after an single chain Fragment variable (ScFv), the minimalbinding domain of an immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule. Alternateantigen-binding motifs, such as receptor ligands (i.e., IL-13 has beenengineered to bind tumor expressed IL-13 receptor), intact immunereceptors, library-derived peptides, and innate immune system effectormolecules (such as NKG2D) also have been engineered. Alternate celltargets for CAR expression (such as NK or gamma-delta T cells) are alsounder development (Brown C E et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2012;18(8):2199-209; Lehner M et al. PLoS One. 2012; 7 (2):e31210). Thereremains significant work with regard to defining the most active T-cellpopulation to transduce with CAR vectors, determining the optimalculture and expansion techniques, and defining the molecular details ofthe CAR protein structure itself.

The linking motifs of a CAR can be a relatively stable structuraldomain, such as the constant domain of IgG, or designed to be anextended flexible linker. Structural motifs, such as those derived fromIgG constant domains, can be used to extend the ScFv binding domain awayfrom the T-cell plasma membrane surface. This may be important for sometumor targets where the binding domain is particularly close to thetumor cell surface membrane (such as for the disialoganglioside GD2;Orentas et al., unpublished observations). To date, the signaling motifsused in CARs always include the CD3-ζ chain because this core motif isthe key signal for T cell activation. The first reportedsecond-generation CARs featured CD28 signaling domains and the CD28transmembrane sequence. This motif was used in third-generation CARscontaining CD137 (4-1BB) signaling motifs as well (Zhao Y et al. JImmunol. 2009; 183 (9): 5563-74). With the advent of new technology, theactivation of T cells with beads linked to anti-CD3 and anti-CD28antibody, and the presence of the canonical “signal 2” from CD28 was nolonger required to be encoded by the CAR itself. Using bead activation,third-generation vectors were found to be not superior tosecond-generation vectors in in vitro assays, and they provided no clearbenefit over second-generation vectors in mouse models of leukemia (HasoW, Lee D W, Shah N N, Stetler-Stevenson M, Yuan C M, Pastan I H,Dimitrov D S, Morgan R A, FitzGerald D J, Barrett D M, Wayne A S,Mackall C L, Orentas R J. Anti-CD22-chimeric antigen receptors targetingB cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Blood. 2013; 121(7):1165-74; Kochenderfer J N et al. Blood. 2012; 119 (12):2709-20).This is borne out by the clinical success of CD19-specific CARS that arein a second generation CD28/CD3-ζ (Lee D W et al. American Society ofHematology Annual Meeting. New Orleans, L A; Dec. 7-10, 2013) and aCD137/CD3-ζ signaling format (Porter D L et al. N Engl J Med. 2011; 365(8): 725-33). In addition to CD137, other tumor necrosis factor receptorsuperfamily members such as OX40 also are able to provide importantpersistence signals in CAR-transduced T cells (Yvon E et al. Clin CancerRes. 2009; 15(18):5852-60). Equally important are the culture conditionsunder which the CAR T-cell populations were cultured.

Current challenges in the more widespread and effective adaptation ofCAR therapy for cancer relate to a paucity of compelling targets.Creating binders to cell surface antigens is now readily achievable, butdiscovering a cell surface antigen that is specific for tumor whilesparing normal tissues remains a formidable challenge. One potential wayto imbue greater target cell specificity to CAR-expressing T cells is touse combinatorial CAR approaches. In one system, the CD3-ζ and CD28signal units are split between two different CAR constructs expressed inthe same cell; in another, two CARs are expressed in the same T cell,but one has a lower affinity and thus requires the alternate CAR to beengaged first for full activity of the second (Lanitis E et al. CancerImmunol Res. 2013; 1(1):43-53; Kloss C C et al. Nat Biotechnol. 2013;31(1):71-5). A second challenge for the generation of a singleScFv-based CAR as an immunotherapeutic agent is tumor cellheterogeneity. At least one group has developed a CAR strategy forglioblastoma whereby the effector cell population targets multipleantigens (HER2, IL-13Ra, EphA2) at the same time in the hope of avoidingthe outgrowth of target antigen-negative populations. (Hegde M et al.Mol Ther. 2013; 21(11):2087-101).

T-cell-based immunotherapy has become a new frontier in syntheticbiology; multiple promoters and gene products are envisioned to steerthese highly potent cells to the tumor microenvironment, where T cellscan both evade negative regulatory signals and mediate effective tumorkilling. The elimination of unwanted T cells through the drug-induceddimerization of inducible caspase 9 constructs with AP1903 demonstratesone way in which a powerful switch that can control T-cell populationscan be initiated pharmacologically (Di Stasi A et al. N Engl J Med.2011; 365(18):1673-83). The creation of effector T-cell populations thatare immune to the negative regulatory effects of transforming growthfactor-β by the expression of a decoy receptor further demonstrates thatdegree to which effector T cells can be engineered for optimal antitumoractivity (Foster A E et al. J Immunother. 2008; 31(5):500-5). Thus,while it appears that CARs can trigger T-cell activation in a mannersimilar to an endogenous T-cell receptor, a major impediment to theclinical application of this technology to date has been limited in vivoexpansion of CAR+ T cells, rapid disappearance of the cells afterinfusion, and disappointing clinical activity. Accordingly, there is anurgent and long felt need in the art for discovering novel compositionsand methods for treatment of MM using an approach that can exhibitspecific and efficacious anti-tumor effect without the aforementionedshort comings.

The present invention addresses these needs by providing CARcompositions and therapeutic methods that can be used to treatBCMA-positive cancers and other diseases and/or conditions. Inparticular, the present invention as disclosed and described hereinprovides CARs that may be used the treatment of BCMA-positive cancers,and which CARs contain BCMA antigen binding domains that exhibit a highsurface expression on transduced T cells, exhibit a high degree ofcytolysis and transduced T cell in vivo expansion and persistence.

SUMMARY

Novel anti-BCMA antibodies or antigen binding domains thereof andchimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that contain such BCMA antigen bindingdomains are provided herein, as well as host cells (e.g., T cells)expressing the receptors, and nucleic acid molecules encoding thereceptors. CAR may consist either of a single molecule expressed on theeffector cell surface, or a CAR comprised of an effector cell-expressedsignaling module and a soluble targeting module, such as when thesoluble targeting module binds to the cell-expressed signaling module, acomplete functional CAR is formed. The CARs exhibit a high surfaceexpression on transduced T cells, with a high degree of cytolysis andtransduced T cell expansion and persistence in vivo. Methods of usingthe disclosed CARs, host cells, and nucleic acid molecules are alsoprovided, for example, to treat a cancer in a subject.

Thus, in one aspect, an isolated polynucleotide encoding a humananti-BCMA antibody or a fragment thereof is provided comprising anucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 69, 71, 73, 75, and 77.

In one embodiment, an isolated polynucleotide encoding a fully humananti-BCMA antibody or a fragment thereof is provided, wherein theantibody or a fragment thereof comprises a fragment selected from thegroup consisting of an Fab fragment, an F(ab)₂ fragment, an Fv fragment,and a single chain Fv (ScFv).

In one embodiment, an isolated polynucleotide encoding a fully humananti-BCMA antibody or a fragment thereof is provided, wherein theantibody or a fragment thereof comprises an amino acid sequence selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20,22, 24, 26, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78.

In one aspect, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a chimericantigen receptor (CAR) is provided comprising, from N-terminus toC-terminus, at least one BCMA antigen binding domain encoded by anucleotide sequence comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23,25, 69, 71, 73, 75, and 77, at least one transmembrane domain, and atleast one intracellular signaling domain.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR isprovided wherein the encoded extracellular BCMA antigen binding domaincomprises at least one single chain variable fragment of an antibodythat binds to BCMA.

In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding theCAR is provided wherein the encoded extracellular BCMA antigen bindingdomain comprises at least one heavy chain variable region of an antibodythat binds to BCMA.

In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding theCAR is provided wherein the encoded extracellular BCMA antigen bindingdomain comprises an ScFv.

In one embodiment, the targeting domain of the CAR is expressedseparately in the form of monoclonal antibody, ScFv Fab, Fab′2 and iscontaining an antigen-targeting domain comprising a nucleic acidsequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 7,9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 69, 71, 73, 75, and 77, coupled to anadditional binding tag or epitope, whereas the effector-cell expressedcomponent of the CAR contains a binding domain specifically directed tobind the tag or epitope expressed on the soluble CAR module, such asspecific binding on the soluble component of the CAR to the cell boundcomponent of the CAR forms the full functional CAR structure.

In another embodiment, the targeting domain of the CAR is expressedseparately in the form of a monoclonal antibody, ScFv Fab, Fab′2 andcontains an antigen-targeting domain comprising a nucleic acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15,17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 69, 71, 73, 75, and 77, and an additional ScFv,whereas the effector-cell expressed component of the CAR contains a tagor epitope specifically reactive with the additional ScFv expressed onthe soluble CAR module, such as specific binding on the solublecomponent of the CAR to the cell bound component of the CAR forms thefull functional CAR structure.

In yet another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe CAR is provided wherein the encoded CAR extracellular BCMA antigenbinding domain further comprises at least one lipocalin-based antigenbinding antigen (anticalins) that binds to BCMA.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided whereinthe encoded extracellular BCMA antigen binding domain is connected tothe transmembrane domain by a linker domain.

In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding theCAR is provided wherein the encoded BCMA extracellular antigen bindingdomain is preceded by a sequence encoding a leader or signal peptide.

In yet another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe CAR is provided comprising at least one BCMA antigen binding domainencoded by a nucleotide sequence comprising a nucleic acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15,17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 69, 71, 73, 75, and 77, and wherein the CARadditionally encodes an extracellular antigen binding domain targets anantigen that includes, but is not limited to, CD19, CD20, CD22, ROR1,mesothelin, CD33, CD38, CD123 (IL3RA), CD138, GPC2, GPC3, FGFR4, c-Met,PSMA, Glycolipid F77, EGFRvIII, GD-2, NY-ESO-1 TCR, MAGE A3 TCR, or anycombination thereof.

In certain embodiments, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding theCAR is provided wherein the additionally encoded extracellular antigenbinding domain comprises an anti-CD19 ScFv antigen binding domain, ananti-CD20 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-CD22 ScFv antigen bindingdomain, an anti-ROR1 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-mesothelinScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-CD33 ScFv antigen binding domain,an anti-CD38 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-CD123 (IL3RA) ScFvantigen binding domain, an anti-CD138 ScFv antigen binding domain, ananti-GPC2 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-GPC3 ScFv antigen bindingdomain, an anti-FGFR4 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-c-Met ScFvantigen binding domain, an anti-PMSA ScFv antigen binding domain, ananti-glycolipid F77 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-EGFRvIII ScFvantigen binding domain, an anti-GD-2 ScFv antigen binding domain, ananti-NY-ESO-1 TCR ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-MAGE A3 TCR ScFvantigen binding domain, or an amino acid sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%,96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, or any combination thereof.

In one aspect, the CARs provided herein further comprise a linker orspacer domain.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR isprovided wherein the extracellular BCMA antigen binding domain, theintracellular signaling domain, or both are connected to thetransmembrane domain by a linker or spacer domain.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR isprovided wherein the encoded linker domain is derived from theextracellular domain of CD8 or CD28, and is linked to a transmembranedomain.

In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding theCAR is provided wherein the encoded CAR further comprises atransmembrane domain that comprises a transmembrane domain of a proteinselected from the group consisting of the alpha, beta or zeta chain ofthe T-cell receptor, CD28, CD3 epsilon, CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16,CD22, CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137 and CD154, or acombination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe CAR is provided wherein the encoded intracellular signaling domainfurther comprises a CD3 zeta intracellular domain.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR isprovided wherein the encoded intracellular signaling domain is arrangedon a C-terminal side relative to the CD3 zeta intracellular domain.

In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding theCAR is provided wherein the encoded at least one intracellular signalingdomain comprises a costimulatory domain, a primary signaling domain, ora combination thereof.

In further embodiments, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding theCAR is provided wherein the encoded at least one costimulatory domaincomprises a functional signaling domain of OX40, CD70, CD27, CD28, CD5,ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), ICOS (CD278), DAP10, DAP12, and 4-1BB(CD137), or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR isprovided that further contains a leader sequence or signal peptidewherein the leader or signal peptide nucleotide sequence comprises thenucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 41, orSEQ ID NO: 43.

In yet another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe CAR is provided wherein the encoded leader sequence comprises theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 40, SEQ ID NO: 42, orSEQ ID NO: 44.

In one aspect, a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is provided hereincomprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, at least one BCMA antigenbinding domain, at least one transmembrane domain, and at least oneintracellular signaling domain.

In one embodiment, a CAR is provided wherein the extracellular BCMAantigen binding domain comprises at least one single chain variablefragment of an antibody that binds to the antigen, or at least one heavychain variable region of an antibody that binds to the antigen, or acombination thereof.

In another embodiment, a CAR is provided wherein the at least onetransmembrane domain comprises a transmembrane domain of a proteinselected from the group consisting of the alpha, beta or zeta chain ofthe T-cell receptor, CD28, CD3 epsilon, CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16,CD22, CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137 and CD154, or acombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the CAR is provided wherein CAR additionallyencodes an extracellular antigen binding domain comprising CD19, CD20,CD22, ROR1, mesothelin, CD33, CD38, CD123 (IL3RA), CD138, GPC2, GPC3,FGFR4, c-Met, PSMA, Glycolipid F77, EGFRvIII, GD-2, NY-ESO-1 TCR, MAGEA3 TCR, or an amino acid sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or99% identity thereof, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the CAR is provided wherein the extracellular antigenbinding domain additionally comprises an anti-CD19 ScFv antigen bindingdomain, an anti-CD20 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-CD22 ScFvantigen binding domain, an anti-ROR1 ScFv antigen binding domain, ananti-mesothelin ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-CD33 ScFv antigenbinding domain, an anti-CD38 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-CD123(IL3RA) ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-CD138 ScFv antigen bindingdomain, an anti-GPC2 ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-GPC3 ScFvantigen binding domain, an anti-FGFR4 ScFv antigen binding domain, ananti-c-Met ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-PMSA ScFv antigenbinding domain, an anti-glycolipid F77 ScFv antigen binding domain, ananti-EGFRvIII ScFv antigen binding domain, an anti-GD-2 ScFv antigenbinding domain, an anti-NY-ESo-1 TCR ScFv antigen binding domain, ananti-MAGE A3 TCR ScFv antigen binding domain, or an amino acid sequencewith 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, or anycombination thereof.

In another embodiment, the CAR is provided wherein the extracellularantigen binding domain additionally comprises an immunoglobulin variableheavy chain only (VH) anti-CD19 antigen binding domain, an anti-CD20 VHantigen binding domain, an anti-CD22 VH antigen binding domain, ananti-ROR1 VH antigen binding domain, an anti-mesothelin VH antigenbinding domain, an anti-CD33 VH antigen binding domain, an anti-CD38 VHantigen binding domain, an anti-CD123 (IL3RA) VH antigen binding domain,an anti-CD138 VH antigen binding domain, an anti-GPC2 VH antigen bindingdomain, an anti-GPC3 VH antigen binding domain, an anti-FGFR4 VH antigenbinding domain, an anti-c-Met VH antigen binding domain, an anti-PMSA VHantigen binding domain, an anti-glycolipid F77 VH antigen bindingdomain, an anti-EGFRvIII VH antigen binding domain, an anti-GD-2 VHantigen binding domain, an anti-NY-ESO-1 TCR VH antigen binding domain,an anti-MAGE A3 TCR VH antigen binding domain, or an amino acid sequencewith 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, or anycombination thereof.

In another embodiment, the CAR is provided wherein the extracellularantigen binding domain additionally comprises a protein or a peptide (P)sequence capable of specifically binding target antigen, which may bederived from a natural or a synthetic sequence comprising anti-CD19 Pantigen binding domain, an anti-CD20 P antigen binding domain, ananti-CD22 P antigen binding domain, an anti-ROR1 P antigen bindingdomain, an anti-mesothelin P antigen binding domain, an anti-CD33 Pantigen binding domain, an anti-CD38 P antigen binding domain, ananti-CD123 (IL3RA) P antigen binding domain, an anti-CD138 P antigenbinding domain, an anti-BCMA (CD269) P antigen binding domain, ananti-GPC2 P antigen binding domain, an anti-GPC3 P antigen bindingdomain, an anti-FGFR4 P antigen binding domain, an anti-c-Met P antigenbinding domain, an anti-PMSA P antigen binding domain, ananti-glycolipid F77 P antigen binding domain, an anti-EGFRvIII P antigenbinding domain, an anti-GD-2 P antigen binding domain, an anti-NY-ESO-1TCR P antigen binding domain, an anti-MAGE A3 TCR P antigen bindingdomain, or an amino acid sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or99% identity thereof, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment,a CAR is provided wherein the at least one intracellular signalingdomain comprises a costimulatory domain and a primary signaling domain.

In yet another embodiment, a CAR is provided wherein the at least oneintracellular signaling domain comprises a costimulatory domaincomprising a functional signaling domain of a protein selected from thegroup consisting of OX40, CD70, CD27, CD28, CD5, ICAM-1, LFA-1(CD11a/CD18), ICOS (CD278), DAP10, DAP12, and 4-1BB (CD137), or acombination thereof.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CAR comprisesthe nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87. In one embodiment, thenucleic acid sequence encodes a CAR comprising the amino acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 88.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 89. In one embodiment,the nucleic acid sequence encodes a CAR comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 90.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91. In one embodiment,the nucleic acid sequence encodes a CAR comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 92.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93. In one embodiment,the nucleic acid sequence encodes a CAR comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 94.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 95. In one embodiment,the nucleic acid sequence encodes a CAR comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 96.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97. In one embodiment,the nucleic acid sequence encodes a CAR comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 98.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99. In one embodiment,the nucleic acid sequence encodes a CAR comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 100.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101. In oneembodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encodes a CAR comprising the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102.

In one aspect, the CARs disclosed herein are modified to express orcontain a detectable marker for use in diagnosis, monitoring, and/orpredicting the treatment outcome such as progression free survival ofcancer patients or for monitoring the progress of such treatment.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule encoding the disclosed CARScan be contained in a vector, such as a viral vector. The vector is aDNA vector, an RNA vector, a plasmid vector, a cosmid vector, a herpesvirus vector, a measles virus vector, a lentivirus vector, adenoviralvector, or a retrovirus vector, or a combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the vector further comprises a promoter whereinthe promoter is an inducible promoter, a tissue specific promoter, aconstitutive promoter, a suicide promoter or any combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the vector expressing the CAR can be furthermodified to include one or more operative elements to control theexpression of CAR T cells, or to eliminate CAR-T cells by virtue of asuicide switch. The suicide switch can include, for example, anapoptosis inducing signaling cascade or a drug that induces cell death.In a preferred embodiment, the vector expressing the CAR can be furthermodified to express an enzyme such thymidine kinase (TK) or cytosinedeaminase (CD).

In another aspect, host cells including the nucleic acid moleculeencoding the CAR are also provided. In some embodiments, the host cellis a T cell, such as a primary T cell obtained from a subject. In oneembodiment, the host cell is a CD8+ T cell.

In yet another aspect, a pharmaceutical composition is providedcomprising an anti-tumor effective amount of a population of human Tcells, wherein the T cells comprise a nucleic acid sequence that encodesa chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), wherein the CAR comprises at leastone extracellular antigen binding domain comprising a BCMA antigenbinding domain comprising the amino acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,26, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78; at least one linker domain; at least onetransmembrane domain; and at least one intracellular signaling domain,wherein the T cells are T cells of a human having a cancer. The cancerincludes, inter alia, a hematological cancer such as leukemia (e.g.,chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), orchronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), lymphoma (e.g., mantle celllymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's lymphoma) or multiplemyeloma, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition is provided wherein theat least one transmembrane domain of the CAR contains a transmembranedomain of a protein selected from the group consisting of the alpha,beta or zeta chain of the T-cell receptor, CD28, CD3 epsilon, CD45, CD4,CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16, CD22, Mesothelin, CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86,CD134, CD137 and CD154, or a combination thereof.

In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition is provided whereinthe human cancer includes an adult carcinoma comprising oral and pharynxcancer (tongue, mouth, pharynx, head and neck), digestive system cancers(esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, anus, liver,interhepatic bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas), respiratory systemcancers (larynx, lung and bronchus), bones and joint cancers, softtissue cancers, skin cancers (melanoma, basal and squamous cellcarcinoma), pediatric tumors (neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma,osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma), tumors of the central nervous system(brain, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, glioma), and cancers of the breast,the genital system (uterine cervix, uterine corpus, ovary, vulva,vagina, prostate, testis, penis, endometrium), the urinary system(urinary bladder, kidney and renal pelvis, ureter), the eye and orbit,the endocrine system (thyroid), and the brain and other nervous system,or any combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition is providedcomprising an anti-tumor effective amount of a population of human Tcells of a human having a cancer wherein the cancer is a refractorycancer non-responsive to one or more chemotherapeutic agents. The cancerincludes hematopoietic cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome pancreaticcancer, head and neck cancer, cutaneous tumors, minimal residual disease(MRD) in multiple myeloma (MM), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM),monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), adult andpediatric hematologic malignancies, including acute lymphoblasticleukemia (ALL), CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia), non-Hodgkin'slymphoma (NHL), including follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B celllymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL).chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), lung cancer, breast cancer, ovariancancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, melanoma or other hematologicalcancer and solid tumors, or any combination thereof.

In another aspect, methods of making CAR-containing T cells (hereinafter“CAR-T cells”) are provided. The methods include transducing a T cellwith a vector or nucleic acid molecule encoding a disclosed CAR thatspecifically binds BCMA, thereby making the CAR-T cell.

In yet another aspect, a method of generating a population ofRNA-engineered cells is provided that comprises introducing an in vitrotranscribed RNA or synthetic RNA of a nucleic acid molecule encoding adisclosed CAR into a cell of a subject, thereby generating a CAR cell.

In yet another aspect, a method for diagnosing a disease, disorder orcondition associated with the expression of BCMA on a cell, is providedcomprising a) contacting the cell with a human anti-BCMA antibody orfragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereof comprisesan amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78; andb) detecting the presence of BCMA wherein the presence of BCMA diagnosesfor the disease, disorder or condition associated with the expression ofBCMA.

In one embodiment, the disease, disorder or condition associated withthe expression of BCMA is cancer including hematopoietic cancer,myelodysplastic syndrome pancreatic cancer, head and neck cancer,cutaneous tumors, minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute lymphoblasticleukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), adult B cell malignanciesincluding, CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), CML (chronic myelogenousleukemia), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), pediatric B cell malignancies(including B lineage ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia)), multiple myelomalung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, coloncancer, melanoma or other hematological cancer and solid tumors, or anycombination thereof.

In another embodiment, a method of diagnosing, prognosing, ordetermining risk of a BCMA-related disease in a mammal, is providedcomprising detecting the expression of BCMA in a sample derived from themammal comprising: a) contacting the sample with a human anti-BCMAantibody or fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofcomprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 70, 72, 74, 76,and 78; and b) detecting the presence of BCMA wherein the presence ofBCMA diagnoses for a BCMA-related disease in the mammal.

In another embodiment, a method of inhibiting BCMA-dependent T cellinhibition, is provided comprising contacting a cell with a humananti-BCMA antibody or fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or afragment thereof comprises an amino acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,26, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78. In one embodiment, the cell is selected fromthe group consisting of a BCMA-expressing tumor cell, a tumor-associatedmacrophage, and any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, a method of blocking T-cell inhibition mediatedby a BCMA-expressing cell and altering the tumor microenvironment toinhibit tumor growth in a mammal, is provided comprising administeringto the mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising anisolated anti-BCMA antibody or fragment thereof, wherein the antibody ora fragment thereof comprises an amino acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,26, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78. In one embodiment, the cell is selected fromthe group consisting of a BCMA-expressing tumor cell, a tumor-associatedmacrophage, and any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventingimmunosuppression of an anti-tumor or anti-cancer immune response in amammal, is provided comprising administering to the mammal an effectiveamount of a composition comprising an isolated anti-BCMA antibody orfragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereof comprisesan amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78. Inone embodiment, the antibody or fragment thereof inhibits theinteraction between a first cell with a T cell, wherein the first cellis selected from the group consisting of a BCMA-expressing tumor cell, atumor-associated macrophage, and any combination thereof.

In another aspect, a method is provided for inducing an anti-tumorimmunity in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal atherapeutically effective amount of a T cell transduced with vector ornucleic acid molecule encoding a disclosed CAR.

In another embodiment, a method of treating or preventing cancer in amammal is provided comprising administering to the mammal one or more ofthe disclosed CARs, in an amount effective to treat or prevent cancer inthe mammal. The method includes administering to the subject atherapeutically effective amount of host cells expressing a disclosedCAR that specifically binds BCMA and/or one or more of theaforementioned antigens, under conditions sufficient to form an immunecomplex of the antigen binding domain on the CAR and the extracellulardomain of BCMA and/or one or more of the aforementioned antigens in thesubject.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided for treating a mammalhaving a disease, disorder or condition associated with an elevatedexpression of a tumor antigen, the method comprising administering tothe subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-tumoreffective amount of a population of T cells, wherein the T cellscomprise a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a chimeric antigenreceptor (CAR), wherein the CAR includes at least one extracellular BCMAantigen binding domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78, orany combination thereof, at least one linker or spacer domain, at leastone transmembrane domain, at least one intracellular signaling domain,and wherein the T cells are T cells of the subject having cancer.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided for treating cancer in asubject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject apharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-tumor effective amount ofa population of T cells, wherein the T cells comprise a nucleic acidsequence that encodes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), wherein the CARcomprises at least one BCMA antigen binding domain comprising the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26,70, 72, 74, 76, and 78, or any combination thereof, at least one linkeror spacer domain, at least one transmembrane domain, at least oneintracellular signaling domain, wherein the T cells are T cells of thesubject having cancer. In some embodiments of the aforementionedmethods, the at least one transmembrane domain comprises a transmembranethe alpha, beta or zeta chain of the T-cell receptor, CD28, CD3 epsilon,CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16, CD22, Mesothelin, CD33, CD37, CD64,CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137 and CD154, or a combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided for generating apersisting population of genetically engineered T cells in a humandiagnosed with cancer. In one embodiment, the method comprisesadministering to a human a T cell genetically engineered to express aCAR wherein the CAR comprises at least one BCMA antigen binding domaincomprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12,16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78, or any combinationthereof; at least one transmembrane domain; and at least oneintracellular signaling domain wherein the persisting population ofgenetically engineered T cells, or the population of progeny of the Tcells, persists in the human for at least one month, two months, threemonths, four months, five months, six months, seven months, eightmonths, nine months, ten months, eleven months, twelve months, twoyears, or three years after administration.

In one embodiment, the progeny T cells in the human comprise a memory Tcell. In another embodiment, the T cell is an autologous T cell.

In all of the aspects and embodiments of methods described herein, anyof the aforementioned cancers, diseases, disorders or conditionsassociated with an elevated expression of a tumor antigen that may betreated or prevented or ameliorated using one or more of the CARsdisclosed herein,

In yet another aspect, a kit is provided for making a chimeric antigenreceptor T-cell as described supra or for preventing, treating, orameliorating any of the cancers, diseases, disorders or conditionsassociated with an elevated expression of a tumor antigen in a subjectas described supra, comprising a container comprising any one of thenucleic acid molecules, vectors, host cells, or compositions disclosedsupra or any combination thereof, and instructions for using the kit.

It will be understood that the CARs, host cells, nucleic acids, andmethods are useful beyond the specific aspects and embodiments that aredescribed in detail herein. The foregoing features and advantages of thedisclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts the construction of CARs targeting BCMA. The anti-BCMAScFv targeting domain was linked in frame to CD8 hinge and transmembranedomain, the 4-1BB (CD137) signaling domain and the CD3 zeta signalingdomain.

FIG. 2 depicts surface expression of BCMA-targeting CAR T constructs onhuman primary T cells. CAR T expression was determined by flowcytometry. T cells were activated with Miltenyi Biotec TransAct™ CD3CD28 reagent in the presence of IL-2, and transduced with LV asdescribed in Materials and Methods. On culture day 8, viable transducedT cells (7-AAD negative) were assayed for CAR surface expression usingthe Protein L method (top panel) or the BCMA-Fc method (bottom panel).The CAR construct identifier (ScFv number) used in each transduction islisted above each figure. Bars represent the percentage of CART-positive populations in relation to non-transduced T cell control(UTD).

FIGS. 3A-C depict CAR T cytotoxicity in vitro. CARs are designated bytheir ScFv number, preceded by a prefix “BCMA”. Luciferase-basedcytotoxicity assays were performed using, BCMA-positive tumor linesRPMI-8226 (FIG. 3A), and MM1.S (FIG. 3B), or BCMA-negative cell line293T (FIG. 3C), stably transduced with firefly luciferase. Barsrepresent mean+SD values from three technical replicates.

FIGS. 4A-B depict surface expression of BCMA-targeting CAR T constructson human primary T cells. T cells were isolated form a buffy coat viaCD4+CD8+ positive selection using Miltenyi cell isolation reagents. CART expression was determined by flow cytometry. T cells were activatedwith Miltenyi Biotec TransAct™ CD3 CD28 reagent in the presence of IL-2,and transduced with LV as described in Materials and Methods. On cultureday 8, viable transduced T cells (7-AAD negative) were assayed for CARsurface expression using the BCMA-Fc method. CAR construct number islisted to the left of each figure. Expression of CAR T in CD8-(CD4+) andCD8+ cell population is shown in the left column (FIG. 4A), and thetotal CAR expression is shown in the histogram on the right (FIG. 4B).Bars on the right represent the percentage of CAR T-positive populationsin relation to non-transduced T cell control (UTD, not shown).

FIGS. 5A-B depict the cytotoxicity of anti-BCMA CARs D0084, D0085,D0086, D0087, D0099, D0100 in vitro, in two separate donors.Luciferase-based cytotoxicity assays were performed using BCMA-positivetumor lines RPMI-8226, and MM1.S, or BCMA-negative cell line 293T,stably transduced with firefly luciferase. Bars represent mean+SD valuesfrom three technical replicates.

FIGS. 6A-G depict the superior functionality of the D100 BCMA CAR incomparison to the D085 BCMA CAR in a long-term in vitro co-incubationassay. (FIG. 6A) The structure of the BCMA CARs D100 and D085 includesan scFv CAR targeting domain linked to the CD8 extracellular andtransmembrane domains, followed by the 4-1BB co-stimulatory molecule andthe CD3ζ domain. (FIG. 6B) T-cells were transduced at various MOIs withlentiviral vectors harboring either the D100 or the D085 BCMA CARconstructs, and the cell surface expression of the CARs was assessed byflow cytometry. (FIG. 6C) In the long-term co-culture experiment, CART-cells were co-incubated with the target multiple myeloma cell line,MM1.S tagged with GFP, at an ETT ratio of 0.1. The co-culture wasrepeated for four rounds in the span of 20 days. The absolute counts of(FIG. 6D) T-cells and (FIG. 6E) target cells were assessed by flowcytometry at different time points during the four rounds of co-cultureby quantifying the number of CD3+ cells and GFP+ cells, respectively.The absolute counts were determined by using CountBright AbsoluteCounting Beads. (FIG. 6F) The changes in the percentages of CAR+CD4+ andCD8+ at various timepoints during the long term co-culture were assessedby flow cytometry. (FIG. 6F) The production of IL-2, TNFα, and IFNγ inCD3+ cells was determined by intracellular staining and flow cytometricanalysis on day 11 during the third round of co-culture (FIG. 6G).

FIGS. 7A-C depict in vivo evaluation of BCMA-targeting CAR Constructs.(FIG. 7A) Eight millions of RPMI-8226 cells were intradermally injectedon the abdomen of NSG mice (all groups n=8, except untreated, n=5) andallowed to engraft for 17 days before the intravenous injection of fivemillion/mouse CAR T-cells. The number of CAR T-cells that was infusedwas normalized based on CAR expression levels. On day 6, after T-cellinfusion, 3 mice from each group were sacrificed for tumor harvest whilethe rest of the mice were monitored for (FIG. 7B) tumor growth and (FIG.7C) survival.

FIGS. 8A-D depict in vitro characterization of CAR D153, incorporatingthe scFv sequence 4-1c. The scFv 4-1c was cloned into a CAR backbonecomprised of CD8 extracellular and transmembrane domains, 4-1BBco-stimulatory domain, and CD3ζ activating domain, identical to thatused in CARD100 and D085, as shown in FIG. 6A. (FIG. 8A) Lentiviraltransduction efficiency of CAR D153, D100 and D085 in primary human Tcells was measured by flow cytometry. (FIG. 8B) The cytotoxicity ofanti-BCMA CARs D153, D100, D085, or non-transduced UTD control T cellsin vitro. Luciferase-based cytotoxicity assays were performed usingBCMA-positive tumor lines RPMI-8226, and MM1.S, stably transduced withfirefly luciferase. (FIG. 8C). In vivo evaluation of BCMA-targeting CARD153 as compared to BCMA CAR D100 in RPMI-8226 intradermal NSG xenograftmodel. (n=5) (FIG. 8D). Tumors were established for 17 days followingintradermal injection of eight million RPMI-8226 cells per mouse.Tumor-bearing mice were distributed to groups with equal mean tumorvolumes. Five million CAR T cells or UTD control were injected i.v., andtumor volume was recorded three times a week up to study day 40.Untreated—tumor only control.

FIGS. 9A-E depict the resistance to immunosuppressive TGFβ effectsexhibited by the armored BCMA CAR incorporating the truncated TGFBRIIdominant negative receptor. (FIG. 9A) The sequence of the extracellularbinding and transmembrane domains of TGFBRII, but excluding theintracellular kinase domain, was cloned into the D100 BCMA CARconstruct. A P2A element was utilized to allow for the separateco-expression of the BCMA CAR and the TGFBRII DN. (FIG. 9B) T-cells weretransduced with lentiviral vectors containing either the D100 BCMA CARconstruct or the armored BCMA CAR construct combining the D100 CAR withthe TGFBRII DN element (D158) at MOI 10 and 80, respectively. The cellsurface expression of the BCMA CAR (upper panel) and TGFBRII (lowerpanel) was assessed by flow cytometry. (FIG. 9C) In the long termco-culture experiment, CAR T-cells were co-incubated with the targetcells, MM1.S-GFP, at an ETT ratio of 0.1, and the media was treated with10 ng/ml of TGF-beta or remained untreated. When the target cells wereeliminated on day 6, the co-culture was extended for a second round atan initial ETT ratio of 0.1. The absolute counts of (FIG. 9D) T-cellsand (FIG. 9E) target cells at different time points during the long-termco-culture was assessed by quantifying the number of CD3+ and GFP+ cellsvia flow cytometry using absolute counting beads.

FIGS. 10A-H depict the superior efficacy of the armored BCMA CAR D158incorporating the truncated TGFBRII dominant negative element ineradicating tumors in vivo. (FIG. 10A) Multiple myeloma cell lines,RPMI-8226 and MM1.S, were cultured for 4 days, and supernatants werecollected and treated with 1M HCL to activate latent TGFβ, or thesupernatants remained untreated. The presence of active TGFβ, in thesupernatants was detected by ELISA. (FIG. 10B) NSG mice wereintradermally injected on the abdomen with 8e6 RPMI-8226 cells (n=8except untreated, n=5). On day 17 after tumor injection, 5e6 CAR+T-cells were intravenously injected. The differences in CAR expressionlevels were normalized by adjusting the total number of infused T-cells.On day 7 after T-cell infusion, 3 mice from each group (except theuntreated group) were sacrificed for tumor harvest, while the rest weremonitored for (FIG. 10C) tumor progression and (FIG. 10D) survival.(FIG. 10E) The absolute counts of CD3+ cells, (FIG. 10F) the percentageof CD3+CAR+, (FIG. 10G) CD3+PD1+, and (FIG. 10H) CD3+CD45RO+ cells inthe tumors on day 6 were determined by flow cytometry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” refer to boththe singular as well as plural, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. For example, the term “an antigen” includes single or pluralantigens and can be considered equivalent to the phrase “at least oneantigen.” As used herein, the term “comprises” means “includes.” Thus,“comprising an antigen” means “including an antigen” without excludingother elements. The phrase “and/or” means “and” or “or.” It is furtherto be understood that any and all base sizes or amino acid sizes, andall molecular weight or molecular mass values, given for nucleic acidsor polypeptides are approximate, and are provided for descriptivepurposes, unless otherwise indicated. Although many methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used,particular suitable methods and materials are described below. In caseof conflict, the present specification, including explanations of terms,will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples areillustrative only and not intended to be limiting. To facilitate reviewof the various embodiments, the following explanations of terms areprovided:

The term “about” when referring to a measurable value such as an amount,a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of.+−.20% or in some instances .+−.10%, or in some instances .+−.5%, or insome instances .+−.1%, or in some instances .+−.0.1% from the specifiedvalue, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosedmethods.

Unless otherwise noted, the technical terms herein are used according toconventional usage. Definitions of common terms in molecular biology canbe found in Benjamin Lewin, Genes VII, published by Oxford UniversityPress, 1999; Kendrew et al. (eds.), The Encyclopedia of MolecularBiology, published by Blackwell Science Ltd., 1994; and Robert A. Meyers(ed.), Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: a Comprehensive DeskReference, published by VCH Publishers, Inc., 1995; and other similarreferences.

The present disclosure provides for BCMA antibodies or fragments thereofas well as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) having such BCMA antigenbinding domains. The enhancement of the functional activity of the CARdirectly relates to the enhancement of functional activity of theCAR-expressing T cell. As a result of one or more of thesemodifications, the CARs exhibit both a high degree of cytokine-inducedcytolysis and cell surface expression on transduced T cells, along withan increased level of in vivo T cell expansion and persistence of thetransduced CAR-expressing T cell.

The unique ability to combine functional moieties derived from differentprotein domains has been a key innovative feature of Chimeric AntigenReceptors (CARs). The choice of each of these protein domains is a keydesign feature, as is the way in which they are specifically combined.Each design domain is an essential component that can be used acrossdifferent CAR platforms to engineer the function of lymphocytes. Forexample, the choice of the extracellular binding domain can make anotherwise ineffective CAR be effective.

The invariable framework components of the immunoglobulin-derivedprotein sequences used to create the extracellular antigen bindingdomain of a CAR can either be entirely neutral, or they canself-associate and drive the T cell to a state of metabolic exhaustion,thus making the therapeutic T cell expressing that CAR far lesseffective. This occurs independently of the antigen binding function ofthis CAR domain. Furthermore, the choice of the intracellular signalingdomain(s) also can govern the activity and the durability of thetherapeutic lymphocyte population used for immunotherapy. While theability to bind target antigen and the ability to transmit an activationsignal to the T cell through these extracellular and intracellulardomains, respectively, are important CAR design aspects, what has alsobecome apparent is that the choice of the source of the extracellularantigen binding fragments can have a significant effect on the efficacyof the CAR and thereby have a defining role for the function andclinical utility of the CAR.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly it has now been discovered that use of anentirely human antigen binding domain in a CAR, rather than usingmouse-derived antigen binding fragments which are prone to induceanti-mouse immune response and CAR T elimination in a host (c.f., theUPenn-sponsored clinical trial using mouse derived SS1 ScFv sequence,NCT02159716), may also determine the functional activity of aCAR-expressing T cell.

The CARs disclosed herein are expressed at a high level in a cell. Acell expressing the CAR has a high in vivo proliferation rate, produceslarge amounts of cytokines, and has a high cytotoxic activity against acell having, on its surface, a BCMA antigen to which a CAR binds. Theuse of a human extracellular BCMA antigen binding domain results ingeneration of a CAR that functions better in vivo, while avoiding theinduction of anti-CAR immunity in the host immune response and thekilling of the CAR T cell population. The CARs expressing the entirelyhuman extracellular BCMA ScFv antigen binding domain exhibit superioractivities/properties including i) prevention of poor CAR T persistenceand function as seen with mouse-derived binding sequences; ii) lack ofregional (i.e. intrapleural) delivery of the CAR to be efficacious; andiii) ability to generate CAR T cell designs based both on binders withhigh and low affinity to BCMA. This latter property allows investigatorsto better tune efficacy vs toxicity, and/or tissue specificity of theCAR T product, since lower-affinity binders may have higher specificityto tumors vs normal tissues due to higher expression of BCMA on tumorsthan normal tissue, which may prevent on-target off tumor toxicity andbystander cell killing.

What follows is a detailed description of the inventive CARs including adescription of their extracellular BCMA antigen binding domain, thetransmembrane domain and the intracellular domain, along with additionaldescription of the CARs, antibodies and antigen binding fragmentsthereof, conjugates, nucleotides, expression, vectors, and host cells,methods of treatment, compositions, and kits employing the disclosedCARs.

A. Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs)

The CARs disclosed herein comprise at least one BCMA antigen bindingdomain capable of binding to BCMA, at least one transmembrane domain,and at least one intracellular domain.

A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is an artificially constructed hybridprotein or polypeptide containing the antigen binding domains of anantibody (e.g., single chain variable fragment (ScFv)) linked to T-cellsignaling domains via the transmembrane domain. Characteristics of CARsinclude their ability to redirect T-cell specificity and reactivitytoward a selected target in a non-MHC-restricted manner, and exploitingthe antigen-binding properties of monoclonal antibodies. Thenon-MHC-restricted antigen recognition gives T cells expressing CARS theability to recognize antigen independent of antigen processing, thusbypassing a major mechanism of tumor escape. Moreover, when expressed inT-cells, CARS advantageously do not dimerize with endogenous T cellreceptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains.

As disclosed herein, the intracellular T cell signaling domains of theCARs can include, for example, a T cell receptor signaling domain, a Tcell costimulatory signaling domain, or both. The T cell receptorsignaling domain refers to a portion of the CAR comprising theintracellular domain of a T cell receptor, such as, for example, and notby way of limitation, the intracellular portion of the CD3 zeta protein.The costimulatory signaling domain refers to a portion of the CARcomprising the intracellular domain of a costimulatory molecule, whichis a cell surface molecule other than an antigen receptor or theirligands that are required for an efficient response of lymphocytes toantigen.

1. Extracellular Domain

In one embodiment, the CAR comprises a target-specific binding elementotherwise referred to as an antigen binding domain or moiety. The choiceof domain depends upon the type and number of ligands that define thesurface of a target cell. For example, the antigen binding domain may bechosen to recognize a ligand that acts as a cell surface marker ontarget cells associated with a particular disease state. Thus examplesof cell surface markers that may act as ligands for the antigen bindingdomain in the CAR include those associated with viral, bacterial andparasitic infections, autoimmune disease and cancer cells.

In one embodiment, the CAR can be engineered to target a tumor antigenof interest by way of engineering a desired antigen binding domain thatspecifically binds to an antigen on a tumor cell. Tumor antigens areproteins that are produced by tumor cells that elicit an immuneresponse, particularly T-cell mediated immune responses. The selectionof the antigen binding domain will depend on the particular type ofcancer to be treated. Tumor antigens include, for example, aglioma-associated antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), .beta.-humanchorionic gonadotropin, alphafetoprotein (AFP), lectin-reactive AFP,thyroglobulin, RAGE-1, MN-CA IX, human telomerase reverse transcriptase,RU1, RU2 (AS), intestinal carboxyl esterase, mut hsp70-2, M-CSF,prostase, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PAP, NY-ESO-1, LAGE-1a, p53,prostein, PSMA, Her2/neu, survivin and telomerase, prostate-carcinomatumor antigen-1 (PCTA-1), MAGE, ELF2M, neutrophil elastase, ephrinB2,CD22, insulin growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, IGF-I receptor and BCMA.The tumor antigens disclosed herein are merely included by way ofexample. The list is not intended to be exclusive and further exampleswill be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.

In one embodiment, the tumor antigen comprises one or more antigeniccancer epitopes associated with a malignant tumor. Malignant tumorsexpress a number of proteins that can serve as target antigens for animmune attack. These molecules include, but are not limited to,tissue-specific antigens such as MART-1, tyrosinase and GP 100 inmelanoma and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate-specificantigen (PSA) in prostate cancer. Other target molecules belong to thegroup of transformation-related molecules such as the oncogeneHER-2/Neu/ErbB-2. Yet another group of target antigens are onco-fetalantigens such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). In B-cell lymphoma thetumor-specific idiotype immunoglobulin constitutes a trulytumor-specific immunoglobulin antigen that is unique to the individualtumor. B-cell differentiation antigens such as CD19, CD20 and CD37 areother candidates for target antigens in B-cell lymphoma. Some of theseantigens (CEA, HER-2, CD19, CD20, idiotype) have been used as targetsfor passive immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies with limitedsuccess.

In one preferred embodiment, the tumor antigen is BCMA and the tumorsassociated with expression of BCMA comprise lung mesothelioma, ovarian,and pancreatic cancers that express high levels of the extracellularprotein BCMA, or any combination thereof.

The type of tumor antigen may also be a tumor-specific antigen (TSA) ora tumor-associated antigen (TAA). A TSA is unique to tumor cells anddoes not occur on other cells in the body. A TAA is not unique to atumor cell and instead is also expressed on a normal cell underconditions that fail to induce a state of immunologic tolerance to theantigen. The expression of the antigen on the tumor may occur underconditions that enable the immune system to respond to the antigen. TAAsmay be antigens that are expressed on normal cells during fetaldevelopment when the immune system is immature and unable to respond orthey may be antigens that are normally present at extremely low levelson normal cells but which are expressed at much higher levels on tumorcells.

Non-limiting examples of TSAs or TAAs include the following:Differentiation antigens such as MART-1/MelanA (MART-I), gp100 (Pmel17), tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2 and tumor-specific multi-lineage antigenssuch as MAGE-1, MAGE-3, BAGE, GAGE-1, GAGE-2, p15; overexpressedembryonic antigens such as CEA; overexpressed oncogenes and mutatedtumor-suppressor genes such as p53, Ras, HER-2/neu; unique tumorantigens resulting from chromosomal translocations; such as BCR-ABL,E2A-PRL, H4-RET, IGH-IGK, MYL-RAR; and viral antigens, such as theEpstein Barr virus antigens EBVA and the human papillomavirus (HPV)antigens E6 and E7. Other large, protein-based antigens include TSP-180,MAGE-4, MAGE-5, MAGE-6, RAGE, NY-ESO, p185erbB2, p180erbB-3, c-met,nm-23H1, PSA, TAG-72, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, CAM 17.1, NuMa, K-ras,beta-Catenin, CDK4, Mum-1, p 15, p 16, 43-9F, 5T4, 791Tgp72,alpha-fetoprotein, beta-HCG, BCA225, BTAA, CA 125, CA 15-3\CA27.29\BCAA, CA 195, CA 242, CA-50, CAM43, CD68\P1, CO-029, FGF-5, G250,Ga733\EpCAM, HTgp-175, M344, MA-50, MG7-Ag, MOV18, NB/70K, NY-CO-1,RCAS1, SDCCAG16, TA-90\Mac-2 binding protein\cyclophilin C-associatedprotein, TAAL6, TAG72, TLP, and TPS.

In one embodiment, the antigen binding domain portion of the CAR targetsan antigen that includes but is not limited to CD19, CD20, CD22, ROR1,CD33, c-Met, PSMA, Glycolipid F77, EGFRvIII, GD-2, MY-ESO-1 TCR, MAGE A3TCR, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the antigen binding domain portion of the CARtargets the extracellular BCMA antigen.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 5 D0084 antigen binding domaincomprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9, or a sequence with 85%,90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof. In one embodiment, anisolated nucleic acid molecule is provided wherein the encodedextracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 5 D0084 antigen binding domain comprisesan amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, or an amino acid sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to an amino acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 10.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 16 D0085 antigen binding domaincomprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof. In one embodiment,an isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided wherein the encodedextracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 16 D0085 antigen binding domain comprisesan amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, or an amino acid sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to an amino acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 18.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 37 D0086 antigen binding domaincomprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof. In one embodiment,an isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided wherein the encodedextracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 37 D0086 antigen binding domain comprisesan amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, or an amino acid sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to an amino acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 24.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 40 D0087 antigen binding domaincomprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof. In one embodiment,an isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided wherein the encodedextracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 40 D0087 antigen binding domain comprisesan amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70, or an amino acid sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to an amino acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 70.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 4-12 D0099 antigen binding domaincomprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75, or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof. In one embodiment,an isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided wherein the encodedextracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 4-12 D0099 antigen binding domaincomprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76, or an amino acidsequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to an aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 4-45 D0100 antigen binding domaincomprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77, or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof. In one embodiment,an isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided wherein the encodedextracellular BCMA ScFv Clone 4-45 D0100 antigen binding domaincomprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78, or an amino acidsequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to an aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular 4-1c VH antigen binding domain comprises a nucleotidesequence of SEQ ID NO: 103, or a sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%,98% or 99% identity thereof. In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acidmolecule is provided wherein the encoded extracellular 4-1c VH antigenbinding domain comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104, or anamino acid sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity toan amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular 4-1c VL antigen binding domain comprises a nucleotidesequence of SEQ ID NO: 105, or a sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%,98% or 99% identity thereof. In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acidmolecule is provided wherein the encoded extracellular 4-1c VL antigenbinding domain comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106, or anamino acid sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity toan amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106.

In one preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodingthe extracellular TGFBRIIdn domain comprises a nucleotide sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 109, or a sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%identity thereof. In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid moleculeis provided wherein the encoded extracellular TGFBRIIdn domain comprisesan amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 110, or an amino acid sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to an amino acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 110.

The generation and binding characteristics of the specific BCMA ScFvantigen binding fragments described herein is shown in Example 1.

In the various embodiments of the BCMA-specific CARs disclosed herein,the general scheme is set forth in FIG. 1 and includes, from theN-terminus to the C-terminus, a signal or leader peptide, anti-BCMAScFv, extracellular linker, CD8 transmembrane, 4-1BB, CD3 zeta, whereinthe bolded text represents the cloning sites for linking domains.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CAR comprisesthe nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87, and encodes the CARcomprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CAR comprisesthe nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87, or a sequence with 85%, 90%,95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, and encodes the CARcomprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or asequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 89, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 90.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 89 or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 90 ora sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 92.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91 or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 92 ora sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 94.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93 or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 94 ora sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 95, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 96.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 95 or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 96 ora sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 98.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 100.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 102.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 98 ora sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99 or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 100 ora sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a CARcomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101 or a sequence with85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof, and encodes theCAR comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 102 ora sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

The surface expression of anti-BCMA CARs incorporating immunoglobulinsingle chain fragment variable (ScFv) sequences reactive with BCMAantigen, is shown in Example 2 infra. The expression level for eachScFv-containing CAR was determined by flow cytometric analysis ofLV-transduced T cells from healthy donors using a recombinant BCMA-Fcpeptide, followed by anti-human Fc F(ab′)2 fragment conjugated to AF647,and detected in the APC channel, (c.f., Example 2, FIG. 2).Alternatively, CAR detection was performed using protein L-biotinconjugate, followed by Streptavidin-PE, with similar results (Example 2,FIG. 2). Further confirmation of CAR expression for constructs selectedfor further investigation was performed using the BCMA-Fc stainingmethod (Example 2, FIG. 4). All anti-BCMA CAR constructs were readilydetected on the surface of T cells, except for the sequence 15 CARconstruct, demonstrating robust CAR expression. By contrast, no CARexpression was detected in the negative control non-transduced T cells(UTD), thus demonstrating the specificity of the detection method used(c.f., Example 2, FIG. 2, FIG. 4).

Without being intended to limit to any particular mechanism of action,it is believed that possible reasons for the enhanced therapeuticfunction associated with the exemplary CARs of the invention include,for example, and not by way of limitation, a) improved lateral movementwithin the plasma membrane allowing for more efficient signaltransduction, b) superior location within plasma membrane microdomains,such as lipid rafts, and greater ability to interact with transmembranesignaling cascades associated with T cell activation, c) superiorlocation within the plasma membrane by preferential movement away fromdampening or down-modulatory interactions, such as less proximity to orinteraction with phosphatases such as CD45, and d) superior assemblyinto T cell receptor signaling complexes (i.e. the immune synapse), orany combination thereof.

While the disclosure has been illustrated with an exemplaryextracellular BCMA ScFv antigen binding domains, other nucleotide and/oramino acid variants within the BCMA variable ScFv antigen bindingdomains may be used to derive the BCMA antigen binding domains for usein the CARs described herein.

Depending on the desired antigen to be targeted, the CAR can beadditionally engineered to include the appropriate antigen bindingdomain that is specific to the desired antigen target. For example, ifCD19 is the desired antigen that is to be targeted, an antibody for CD19can be used as the antigen bind domain incorporation into the CAR.

In one exemplary embodiment, the antigen binding domain portion of theCAR additionally targets CD19. Preferably, the antigen binding domain inthe CAR is anti-CD19 ScFv, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of theanti-CD19 ScFv comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37 In oneembodiment, the anti-CD19 ScFv comprises the nucleic acid sequence thatencodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30. In another embodiment,the anti-CD19 ScFv portion of the CAR comprises the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 38.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a CAR capableof binding to a non-TSA or non-TAA including, for example and not by wayof limitation, an antigen derived from Retroviridae (e.g. humanimmunodeficiency viruses such as HIV-1 and HIV-LP), Picornaviridae (e.g.poliovirus, hepatitis A virus, enterovirus, human coxsackievirus,rhinovirus, and echovirus), rubella virus, coronavirus, vesicularstomatitis virus, rabies virus, Ebola virus, parainfluenza virus, mumpsvirus, measles virus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus,hepatitis B virus, parvovirus, Adenoviridae, Herpesviridae [e.g. type 1and type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus,cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes virus], Poxviridae (e.g. smallpoxvirus, vaccinia virus, and pox virus), or hepatitis C virus, or anycombination thereof.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a CARcapable of binding to an antigen derived from a bacterial strain ofStaphylococci, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, orSalmonella. Particularly, there is provided a CAR capable of binding toan antigen derived from an infectious bacterium, for example,Helicobacter pyloris, Legionella pneumophilia, a bacterial strain ofMycobacteria sps. (e.g. M. tuberculosis, M. avium, M. intracellulare, M.kansaii, or M. gordonea), Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Neisseria meningitides, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pyogenes,Group A Streptococcus, Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae),Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Clostridium tetani, or a combinationthereof.

2. Transmembrane Domain

With respect to the transmembrane domain, the CAR comprises one or moretransmembrane domains fused to the extracellular BCMA antigen bindingdomain of the CAR.

The transmembrane domain may be derived either from a natural or from asynthetic source. Where the source is natural, the domain may be derivedfrom any membrane-bound or transmembrane protein.

Transmembrane regions of particular use in the CARs described herein maybe derived from (i.e. comprise at least the transmembrane region(s) of)the alpha, beta or zeta chain of the T-cell receptor, CD28, CD3 epsilon,CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16, CD22, mesothelin, CD33, CD37, CD64,CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137, CD154. Alternatively, the transmembrane domainmay be synthetic, in which case it will comprise predominantlyhydrophobic residues such as leucine and valine. Preferably a triplet ofphenylalanine, tryptophan and valine will be found at each end of asynthetic transmembrane domain. Optionally, a short oligo- orpolypeptide linker, preferably between 2 and 10 amino acids in lengthmay form the linkage between the transmembrane domain and thecytoplasmic signaling domain of the CAR. A glycine-serine doubletprovides a particularly suitable linker.

In one embodiment, the transmembrane domain that naturally is associatedwith one of the domains in the CAR is used in addition to thetransmembrane domains described supra.

In some instances, the transmembrane domain can be selected by aminoacid substitution to avoid binding of such domains to the transmembranedomains of the same or different surface membrane proteins to minimizeinteractions with other members of the receptor complex.

In one embodiment, the transmembrane domain in the CAR of the inventionis the CD8 transmembrane domain. In one embodiment, the CD8transmembrane domain comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27. In one embodiment, the CD8 transmembrane domain comprises thenucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28. In another embodiment, the CD8 transmembrane domain comprises theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28.

In one embodiment, the encoded transmembrane domain comprises an aminoacid sequence having at least one, two or three modifications (e.g.,substitutions) but not more than 20, 10 or 5 modifications (e.g.,substitutions) of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28, or a sequencewith 95-99% identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28.

In some instances, the transmembrane domain of the CAR comprises theCD8.alpha.hinge domain. In one embodiment, the CD8 hinge domaincomprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29. In one embodiment,the CD8 hinge domain comprises the nucleic acid sequence that encodesthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30. In another embodiment, the CD8hinge domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, or asequence with 95-99% identify thereof.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided whereinthe encoded linker domain is derived from the extracellular domain ofCD8, and is linked to the transmembrane CD8 domain, the transmembraneCD28 domain, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the transmembrane domain in the CAR of the inventionis the TNFRSF19 transmembrane domain. In one embodiment, the TNFRSF19transmembrane domain comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51. In one embodiment, the TNFRSF19 transmembrane domain comprises thenucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52. In another embodiment, the TNFRSF19 transmembrane domain comprisesthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52.

In one embodiment, the encoded transmembrane domain comprises an aminoacid sequence having at least one, two or three modifications (e.g.,substitutions) but not more than 20, 10 or 5 modifications (e.g.,substitutions) of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, or a sequencewith 95-99% identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52.

3. Spacer Domain

In the CAR, a spacer domain, also termed hinge domain, can be arrangedbetween the extracellular domain and the transmembrane domain, orbetween the intracellular domain and the transmembrane domain. Thespacer domain means any oligopeptide or polypeptide that serves to linkthe transmembrane domain with the extracellular domain and/or thetransmembrane domain with the intracellular domain. The spacer domaincomprises up to 300 amino acids, preferably 10 to 100 amino acids, andmost preferably 25 to 50 amino acids.

In several embodiments, the linker can include a spacer element, which,when present, increases the size of the linker such that the distancebetween the effector molecule or the detectable marker and the antibodyor antigen binding fragment is increased. Exemplary spacers are known tothe person of ordinary skill, and include those listed in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,964,5667, 498,298, 6,884,869, 6,323,315, 6,239,104, 6,034,065,5,780,588, 5,665,860, 5,663,149, 5,635,483, 5,599,902, 5,554,725,5,530,097, 5,521,284, 5,504,191, 5,410,024, 5,138,036, 5,076,973,4,986,988, 4,978,744, 4,879,278, 4,816,444, and 4,486,414, as well asU.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 20110212088 and 20110070248, each of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The spacer domain preferably has a sequence that promotes binding of aCAR with an antigen and enhances signaling into a cell. Examples of anamino acid that is expected to promote the binding include cysteine, acharged amino acid, and serine and threonine in a potentialglycosylation site, and these amino acids can be used as an amino acidconstituting the spacer domain.

As the spacer domain, the entire or a part of amino acid numbers 118 to178 (SEQ ID NO: 31) which is a hinge region of CD8.alpha. (NCBI RefSeq:NP.sub.--001759.3), amino acid numbers 135 to 195 of CD8.beta. (GenBank:AAA35664.1), amino acid numbers 315 to 396 of CD4 (NCBI RefSeq:NP.sub.--000607.1), or amino acid numbers 137 to 152 of CD28 (NCBIRefSeq: NP.sub.--006130.1) can be used. Also, as the spacer domain, apart of a constant region of an antibody H chain or L chain (CH1 regionor CL region, for example, a peptide having an amino acid sequence shownin SEQ ID NO: 32) can be used. Further, the spacer domain may be anartificially synthesized sequence.

In addition, an entire or a part of amino acids comprising the constantregion of a human IgG4 (UniProt ID: P01861), including CH1, (amino acidnumbers 1-98), hinge, SEQ ID NO: 80, and the corresponding nucleotideSEQ ID NO: 79, (amino acid numbers 99-110), CH2, amino acid SEQ ID NO:81 and corresponding nucleotide SEQ ID NO: 80, (amino acid numbers111-220) and CH3, SEQ ID NO: 84 and corresponding nucleotide SEQ ID NO:83, (amino acid numbers 221-327) or a combination thereof, such as IgG4Hinge CH2 CH3 domain, SEQ ID NO: 86, and the corresponding nucleotideSEQ ID NO: 85, can be used.

In one embodiment, the spacer domain of the CAR comprises the TNFRSF19hinge domain which comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53.In one embodiment, the TNFRSF19 hinge domain comprises the nucleic acidsequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54. Inanother embodiment, the TNFRSF19 hinge domain comprises the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, or a sequence with 95-99% identify thereof.

In one embodiment, the spacer domain of the CAR comprises the TNFRSF19truncated hinge domain comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:55. In one embodiment, the TNFRSF19 truncated hinge domain comprises thenucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56. In another embodiment, the TNFRSF19 truncated hinge domain comprisesthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56, or a sequence with 95-99%identify thereof.

In one embodiment, the TNFRSF19 hinge and transmembrane domains comprisethe nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49. In one embodiment, theTNFRSF19 hinge and transmembrane domains comprise the nucleic acidsequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50. Inanother embodiment, the TNFRSF19 hinge and transmembrane domainscomprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, or a sequence with95-99% identify thereof.

In one embodiment, a CD8a hinge domain is fused to a TNFRSF19transmembrane domain comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:57. In one embodiment, the CD8a hinge domain is fused to a TNFRSF19transmembrane domain comprises the nucleic acid sequence that encodesthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58. In another embodiment, theCD8a hinge domain is fused to a TNFRSF19 transmembrane domain comprisesthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, or a sequence with 95-99%identify thereof.

Further, in the CAR, a signal peptide sequence, also termed leaderpeptide, can be linked to the N-terminus. The signal peptide sequenceexists at the N-terminus of many secretory proteins and membraneproteins, and has a length of 15 to 30 amino acids. Since many of theprotein molecules mentioned above as the intracellular domain havesignal peptide sequences, the signal peptides can be used as a signalpeptide for the CAR. In one embodiment, the signal peptide comprises theamino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 14).

In one embodiment, the CD8 alpha leader peptide, is comprising thenucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43. In one embodiment, CD8 alphaleader peptide comprises the nucleic acid sequence that encodes theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44. In another embodiment, the CD8ahinge domain is fused to a TNFRSF19 transmembrane domain comprises theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44, or a sequence with 95-99% identifythereof.

In another embodiment, the GMCSF leader peptide, is comprising thenucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39. In one embodiment, the GMCSFleader peptide, comprises the nucleic acid sequence that encodes theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40. In another embodiment, the CD8ahinge domain is fused to a TNFRSF19 transmembrane domain comprises theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40, or a sequence with 95-99% identifythereof.

In another embodiment, the TNFRSF19 leader peptide is comprising thenucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41. In one embodiment, TNFRSF19leader peptide, and CD8 alpha leader peptide comprises the nucleic acidsequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42. Inanother embodiment, the CD8a hinge domain is fused to a TNFRSF19transmembrane domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42,or a sequence with 95-99% identify thereof.

In one embodiment, a tag sequence encoding a truncated sequence ofepidermal growth factor receptor (tEGFR) is comprising the nucleic acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 67. In one embodiment, tEGFR comprises thenucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:68. In another embodiment, the tEGFR tag comprises the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, or a sequence with 95-99% identify thereof.

In one embodiment, a furin recognition site and downstream T2Aself-cleaving peptide sequence, designed for simultaneous bicistronicexpression of the tag sequence and the CAR sequence, is comprising thenucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65. In one embodiment, furin and T2Asequence comprises the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 66. In another embodiment, the tEGFR tagcomprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66 or a sequence with95-99% identify thereof.

In one embodiment, an upstream furin recognition site and T2Aself-cleaving peptide sequence and a furin recognition downstream site,designed for simultaneous bicistronic expression of the tag sequence andthe CAR sequence, is comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:67. In one embodiment, furin and T2A sequence comprises the nucleic acidsequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68. Inanother embodiment, the tEGFR tag comprises the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 68 or a sequence with 95-99% identify thereof.

In one embodiment, the targeting domain of the CAR is expressedseparately in the form of monoclonal antibody, ScFv Fab, Fab′2 and iscontaining at binding tag or epitope, whereas the effector-cellexpressed component of the CAR contains a binding domain specificallydirected to bind the tag or epitope expressed on the soluble CAR module,such as specific binding on the soluble component of the CAR to the cellbound component forms the full functional CAR structure.

4. Intracellular Domain

The cytoplasmic domain or otherwise the intracellular signaling domainof the CAR is responsible for activation of at least one of the normaleffector functions of the immune cell in which the CAR has been placedin. The term “effector function” refers to a specialized function of acell. Effector function of a T cell, for example, may be cytolyticactivity or helper activity including the secretion of cytokines. Thus,the term “intracellular signaling domain” refers to the portion of aprotein which transduces the effector function signal and directs thecell to perform a specialized function. While usually the entireintracellular signaling domain can be employed, in many cases it is notnecessary to use the entire chain. To the extent that a truncatedportion of the intracellular signaling domain is used, such truncatedportion may be used in place of the intact chain as long as ittransduces the effector function signal. The term intracellularsignaling domain is thus meant to include any truncated portion of theintracellular signaling domain sufficient to transduce the effectorfunction signal.

Preferred examples of intracellular signaling domains for use in the CARinclude the cytoplasmic sequences of the T cell receptor (TCR) andco-receptors that act in concert to initiate signal transductionfollowing antigen receptor engagement, as well as any derivative orvariant of these sequences and any synthetic sequence that has the samefunctional capability.

It is known that signals generated through the TCR alone areinsufficient for full activation of the T cell and that a secondary orco-stimulatory signal is also required. Thus, T cell activation can besaid to be mediated by two distinct classes of cytoplasmic signalingsequence: those that initiate antigen-dependent primary activationthrough the TCR (primary cytoplasmic signaling sequences) and those thatact in an antigen-independent manner to provide a secondary orco-stimulatory signal (secondary cytoplasmic signaling sequences).

Primary cytoplasmic signaling sequences regulate primary activation ofthe TCR complex either in a stimulatory way, or in an inhibitory way.Primary cytoplasmic signaling sequences that act in a stimulatory mannermay contain signaling motifs which are known as immunoreceptortyrosine-based activation motifs or ITAMs.

Examples of ITAM containing primary cytoplasmic signaling sequences thatare of particular use in the CARs disclosed herein include those derivedfrom TCR zeta (CD3 Zeta), FcR gamma, FcR beta, CD3 gamma, CD3 delta, CD3epsilon, CD5, CD22, CD79a, CD79b, and CD66d. Specific, non-limitingexamples, of the ITAM include peptides having sequences of amino acidnumbers 51 to 164 of CD3.zeta. (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--932170.1), aminoacid numbers 45 to 86 of Fc.epsilon.RI.gamma. (NCBI RefSeq:NP.sub.--004097.1), amino acid numbers 201 to 244 of Fc.epsilon.RI.beta.(NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--000130.1), amino acid numbers 139 to 182 ofCD3.gamma. (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--000064.1), amino acid numbers 128 to171 of CD3.delta. (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--000723.1), amino acid numbers153 to 207 of CD3. epsilon. (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--000724.1), amino acidnumbers 402 to 495 of CD5 (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--055022.2), amino acidnumbers 707 to 847 of 0022 (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--001762.2), amino acidnumbers 166 to 226 of CD79a (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--001774.1), amino acidnumbers 182 to 229 of CD79b (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--000617.1), and aminoacid numbers 177 to 252 of CD66d (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--001806.2), andtheir variants having the same function as these peptides have. Theamino acid number based on amino acid sequence information of NCBIRefSeq ID or GenBank described herein is numbered based on the fulllength of the precursor (comprising a signal peptide sequence etc.) ofeach protein. In one embodiment, the cytoplasmic signaling molecule inthe CAR comprises a cytoplasmic signaling sequence derived from CD3zeta.

In a preferred embodiment, the intracellular domain of the CAR can bedesigned to comprise the CD3-zeta signaling domain by itself or combinedwith any other desired cytoplasmic domain(s) useful in the context ofthe CAR. For example, the intracellular domain of the CAR can comprise aCD3 zeta chain portion and a costimulatory signaling region. Thecostimulatory signaling region refers to a portion of the CAR comprisingthe intracellular domain of a costimulatory molecule. A costimulatorymolecule is a cell surface molecule other than an antigen receptor ortheir ligands that is required for an efficient response of lymphocytesto an antigen. Examples of such costimulatory molecules include CD27,CD28, 4-1BB (CD137), OX40, CD30, CD40, PD-1, ICOS, lymphocytefunction-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), CD2, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, B7-H3,and a ligand that specifically binds with CD83, and the like. Specific,non-limiting examples, of such costimulatory molecules include peptideshaving sequences of amino acid numbers 236 to 351 of CD2 (NCBI RefSeq:NP.sub.--001758.2), amino acid numbers 421 to 458 of CD4 (NCBI RefSeq:NP.sub.--000607.1), amino acid numbers 402 to 495 of CD5 (NCBI RefSeq:NP.sub.--055022.2), amino acid numbers 207 to 235 of CD8.alpha. (NCBIRefSeq: NP.sub.--001759.3), amino acid numbers 196 to 210 of CD83(GenBank: AAA35664.1), amino acid numbers 181 to 220 of CD28 (NCBIRefSeq: NP.sub.--006130.1), amino acid numbers 214 to 255 of CD137(4-1BB, NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--001552.2), amino acid numbers 241 to 277of CD134 (OX40, NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--003318.1), and amino acid numbers166 to 199 of ICOS (NCBI RefSeq: NP.sub.--036224.1), and their variantshaving the same function as these peptides have. Thus, while thedisclosure herein is exemplified primarily with 4-1BB as theco-stimulatory signaling element, other costimulatory elements arewithin the scope of the disclosure.

The cytoplasmic signaling sequences within the cytoplasmic signalingportion of the CAR may be linked to each other in a random or specifiedorder. Optionally, a short oligo- or polypeptide linker, preferablybetween 2 and 10 amino acids in length may form the linkage. Aglycine-serine doublet provides a particularly suitable linker.

In one embodiment, the intracellular domain is designed to comprise thesignaling domain of CD3-zeta and the signaling domain of CD28. Inanother embodiment, the intracellular domain is designed to comprise thesignaling domain of CD3-zeta and the signaling domain of 4-1BB. In yetanother embodiment, the intracellular domain is designed to comprise thesignaling domain of CD3-zeta and the signaling domain of CD28 and 4-1BB.

In one embodiment, the intracellular domain in the CAR is designed tocomprise the signaling domain of 4-1BB and the signaling domain ofCD3-zeta, wherein the signaling domain of 4-1BB comprises the nucleicacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 45, or SEQ ID NO:59, respectively and the signaling domain of CD3-zeta comprises thenucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 47, or SEQID NO: 61, respectively.

In one embodiment, the intracellular domain in the CAR is designed tocomprise the signaling domain of 4-1BB and the signaling domain ofCD3-zeta, wherein the signaling domain of 4-1BB comprises the nucleicacid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQID NO: 46, or SEQ ID NO: 60, respectively and the signaling domain ofCD3-zeta comprises the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, or SEQ ID NO: 48, or SEQ ID NO: 62.

In one embodiment, the intracellular domain in the CAR is designed tocomprise the signaling domain of 4-1BB and the signaling domain ofCD3-zeta, wherein the signaling domain of 4-1BB comprises the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 46, or SEQ ID NO: 60,respectively and the signaling domain of CD3-zeta comprises the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 48, or SEQ ID NO:62, respectively.

In one embodiment, the intracellular domain in the CAR is designed tocomprise the signaling domain of CD28 and the signaling domain ofCD3-zeta, wherein the signaling domain of CD28 comprises the nucleicacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45, or SEQ ID NO: 59,respectively, and the signaling domain of CD3-zeta comprises the nucleicacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 47, or SEQ ID NO:61, respectively.

In one embodiment, the intracellular domain in the CAR is designed tocomprise the signaling domain of CD28 and the signaling domain ofCD3-zeta, wherein the signaling domain of CD28 comprises the nucleicacid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46, orSEQ ID NO: 60, respectively and the signaling domain of CD3-zetacomprises the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 36, or SEQ ID NO: 48, or SEQ ID NO: 62.

In one embodiment, the intracellular domain in the CAR is designed tocomprise the signaling domain of CD28 and the signaling domain ofCD3-zeta, wherein the signaling domain of CD28 comprises the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46, or SEQ ID NO: 60, respectively andthe signaling domain of CD3-zeta comprises the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 48, or SEQ ID NO: 62, respectively.

5. Additional Description of CARs

Also expressly included within the scope of the invention are functionalportions of the CARs disclosed herein. The term “functional portion”when used in reference to a CAR refers to any part or fragment of one ormore of the CARs disclosed herein, which part or fragment retains thebiological activity of the CAR of which it is a part (the parent CAR).Functional portions encompass, for example, those parts of a CAR thatretain the ability to recognize target cells, or detect, treat, orprevent a disease, to a similar extent, the same extent, or to a higherextent, as the parent CAR. In reference to the parent CAR, thefunctional portion can comprise, for instance, about 10%, 25%, 30%, 50%,68%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or more, of the parent CAR.

The functional portion can comprise additional amino acids at the aminoor carboxy terminus of the portion, or at both termini, which additionalamino acids are not found in the amino acid sequence of the parent CAR.Desirably, the additional amino acids do not interfere with thebiological function of the functional portion, e.g., recognize targetcells, detect cancer, treat or prevent cancer, etc. More desirably, theadditional amino acids enhance the biological activity, as compared tothe biological activity of the parent CAR.

Included in the scope of the disclosure are functional variants of theCARs disclosed herein. The term “functional variant” as used hereinrefers to a CAR, polypeptide, or protein having substantial orsignificant sequence identity or similarity to a parent CAR, whichfunctional variant retains the biological activity of the CAR of whichit is a variant. Functional variants encompass, for example, thosevariants of the CAR described herein (the parent CAR) that retain theability to recognize target cells to a similar extent, the same extent,or to a higher extent, as the parent CAR. In reference to the parentCAR, the functional variant can, for instance, be at least about 30%,50%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 98% or more identical in amino acid sequence to theparent CAR.

A functional variant can, for example, comprise the amino acid sequenceof the parent CAR with at least one conservative amino acidsubstitution. Alternatively or additionally, the functional variants cancomprise the amino acid sequence of the parent CAR with at least onenon-conservative amino acid substitution. In this case, it is preferablefor the non-conservative amino acid substitution to not interfere withor inhibit the biological activity of the functional variant. Thenon-conservative amino acid substitution may enhance the biologicalactivity of the functional variant, such that the biological activity ofthe functional variant is increased as compared to the parent CAR.

Amino acid substitutions of the CARs are preferably conservative aminoacid substitutions. Conservative amino acid substitutions are known inthe art, and include amino acid substitutions in which one amino acidhaving certain physical and/or chemical properties is exchanged foranother amino acid that has the same or similar chemical or physicalproperties. For instance, the conservative amino acid substitution canbe an acidic/negatively charged polar amino acid substituted for anotheracidic/negatively charged polar amino acid (e.g., Asp or Glu), an aminoacid with a nonpolar side chain substituted for another amino acid witha nonpolar side chain (e.g., Ala, Gly, Val, He, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Trp,Cys, Val, etc.), a basic/positively charged polar amino acid substitutedfor another basic/positively charged polar amino acid (e.g. Lys, His,Arg, etc.), an uncharged amino acid with a polar side chain substitutedfor another uncharged amino acid with a polar side chain (e.g., Asn,Gin, Ser, Thr, Tyr, etc.), an amino acid with a beta-branched side-chainsubstituted for another amino acid with a beta-branched side-chain(e.g., He, Thr, and Val), an amino acid with an aromatic side-chainsubstituted for another amino acid with an aromatic side chain (e.g.,His, Phe, Trp, and Tyr), etc.

The CAR can consist essentially of the specified amino acid sequence orsequences described herein, such that other components, e.g., otheramino acids, do not materially change the biological activity of thefunctional variant.

The CARs (including functional portions and functional variants) can beof any length, i.e., can comprise any number of amino acids, providedthat the CARs (or functional portions or functional variants thereof)retain their biological activity, e.g., the ability to specifically bindto antigen, detect diseased cells in a mammal, or treat or preventdisease in a mammal, etc. For example, the CAR can be about 50 to about5000 amino acids long, such as 50, 70, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 300,400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 or more amino acids in length.

The CARs (including functional portions and functional variants of theinvention) can comprise synthetic amino acids in place of one or morenaturally-occurring amino acids. Such synthetic amino acids are known inthe art, and include, for example, aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid,norleucine, -amino n-decanoic acid, homoserine,S-acetylaminomethyl-cysteine, trans-3- and trans-4-hydroxyproline,4-aminophenylalanine, 4-nitrophenylalanine, 4-chlorophenylalanine,4-carboxyphenylalanine, β-phenylserine β-hydroxyphenylalanine,phenylglycine, a-naphthylalanine, cyclohexylalanine, cyclohexylglycine,indoline-2-carboxylic acid, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylicacid, aminomalonic acid, aminomalonic acid monoamide,N′-benzyl-N′-methyl-lysine, N′,N′-dibenzyl-lysine, 6-hydroxylysine,ornithine, -aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid, a-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid, a-aminocycloheptane carboxylic acid,a-(2-amino-2-norbornane)-carboxylic acid, γ-diaminobutyric acid,β-diaminopropionic acid, homophenylalanine, and a-tert-butylglycine.

The CARs (including functional portions and functional variants) can beglycosylated, amidated, carboxylated, phosphorylated, esterified,N-acylated, cyclized via, e.g., a disulfide bridge, or converted into anacid addition salt and/or optionally dimerized or polymerized, orconjugated.

The CARs (including functional portions and functional variants thereof)can be obtained by methods known in the art. The CARs may be made by anysuitable method of making polypeptides or proteins. Suitable methods ofde novo synthesizing polypeptides and proteins are described inreferences, such as Chan et al., Fmoc Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis,Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2000; Peptide andProtein Drug Analysis, ed. Reid, R., Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2000; EpitopeMapping, ed. Westwood et al., Oxford University Press, Oxford, UnitedKingdom, 2001; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,752. Also, polypeptides andproteins can be recombinantly produced using the nucleic acids describedherein using standard recombinant methods. See, for instance, Sambrooket al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3rd ed., Cold SpringHarbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. 2001; and Ausubel et al., CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates and JohnWiley & Sons, N Y, 1994. Further, some of the CARs (including functionalportions and functional variants thereof) can be isolated and/orpurified from a source, such as a plant, a bacterium, an insect, amammal, e.g., a rat, a human, etc. Methods of isolation and purificationare well-known in the art. Alternatively, the CARs described herein(including functional portions and functional variants thereof) can becommercially synthesized by companies. In this respect, the CARs can besynthetic, recombinant, isolated, and/or purified.

B. Antibodies and Antigen Binding Fragments

One embodiment further provides a CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR, anantibody, or antigen binding domain or portion thereof, whichspecifically binds to one or more of the antigens disclosed herein. Asused herein, a “T cell expressing a CAR,” or a “CAR T cell” means a Tcell expressing a CAR, and has antigen specificity determined by, forexample, the antibody-derived targeting domain of the CAR.

As used herein, and “antigen binding domain” can include an antibody andantigen binding fragments thereof. The term “antibody” is used herein inthe broadest sense and encompasses various antibody structures,including but not limited to monoclonal antibodies, polyclonalantibodies, multi-specific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), andantigen binding fragments thereof, so long as they exhibit the desiredantigen-binding activity. Non-limiting examples of antibodies include,for example, intact immunoglobulins and variants and fragments thereofknown in the art that retain binding affinity for the antigen.

A “monoclonal antibody” is an antibody obtained from a population ofsubstantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodiescomprising the population are identical except for possible naturallyoccurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonalantibodies are highly specific, being directed against a singleantigenic epitope. The modifier “monoclonal” indicates the character ofthe antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneouspopulation of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiringproduction of the antibody by any particular method. In some examples, amonoclonal antibody is an antibody produced by a single clone of Blymphocytes or by a cell into which nucleic acid encoding the light andheavy variable regions of the antibody of a single antibody (or anantigen binding fragment thereof) have been transfected, or a progenythereof. In some examples monoclonal antibodies are isolated from asubject. Monoclonal antibodies can have conservative amino acidsubstitutions which have substantially no effect on antigen binding orother immunoglobulin functions. Exemplary methods of production ofmonoclonal antibodies are known, for example, see Harlow & Lane,Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) ed. Cold Spring HarborPublications, New York (2013).

Typically, an immunoglobulin has heavy (H) chains and light (L) chainsinterconnected by disulfide bonds. Immunoglobulin genes include thekappa, lambda, alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon and mu constant regiongenes, as well as the myriad immunoglobulin variable domain genes. Thereare two types of light chain, lambda (λ) and kappa (κ). There are fivemain heavy chain classes (or isotypes) which determine the functionalactivity of an antibody molecule: IgM, IgD, IgG, IgA and IgE.

Each heavy and light chain contains a constant region (or constantdomain) and a variable region (or variable domain; see, e.g., Kindt etal. Kuby Immunology, 6^(th) ed., W.H. Freeman and Co., page 91 (2007).)In several embodiments, the heavy and the light chain variable regionscombine to specifically bind the antigen. In additional embodiments,only the heavy chain variable region is required. For example, naturallyoccurring camelid antibodies consisting of a heavy chain only arefunctional and stable in the absence of light chain (see, e.g.,Hamers-Casterman et al., Nature, 363:446-448, 1993; Sheriff et al., Nat.Struct. Biol., 3:733-736, 1996). References to “VH” or “VH” refer to thevariable region of an antibody heavy chain, including that of an antigenbinding fragment, such as Fv, ScFv, dsFv or Fab. References to “VL” or“VL” refer to the variable domain of an antibody light chain, includingthat of an Fv, ScFv, dsFv or Fab.

Light and heavy chain variable regions contain a “framework” regioninterrupted by three hypervariable regions, also called“complementarity-determining regions” or “CDRs” (see, e.g., Kabat etal., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, 1991). The sequences of the framework regionsof different light or heavy chains are relatively conserved within aspecies. The framework region of an antibody, that is the combinedframework regions of the constituent light and heavy chains, serves toposition and align the CDRs in three-dimensional space.

The CDRs are primarily responsible for binding to an epitope of anantigen. The amino acid sequence boundaries of a given CDR can bereadily determined using any of a number of well-known schemes,including those described by Kabat et al. (“Sequences of Proteins ofImmunological Interest,” 5^(th) Ed. Public Health Service, NationalInstitutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., 1991; “Kabat” numbering scheme),Al-Lazikani et al., (JMB 273,927-948, 1997; “Chothia” numbering scheme),and Lefranc et al. (“IMGT unique numbering for immunoglobulin and T cellreceptor variable domains and Ig superfamily V-like domains,” Dev. Comp.Immunol., 27:55-77, 2003; “IMGT” numbering scheme). The CDRs of eachchain are typically referred to as CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 (from theN-terminus to C-terminus), and are also typically identified by thechain in which the particular CDR is located. Thus, a VH CDR3 is theCDR3 from the variable domain of the heavy chain of the antibody inwhich it is found, whereas a VL CDR1 is the CDR1 from the variabledomain of the light chain of the antibody in which it is found. Lightchain CDRs are sometimes referred to as LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3. Heavychain CDRs are sometimes referred to as HCDR1, HCDR2, and HCDR3.

An “antigen binding fragment” is a portion of a full length antibodythat retains the ability to specifically recognize the cognate antigen,as well as various combinations of such portions. Non-limiting examplesof antigen binding fragments include Fv, Fab, Fab′, Fab′-SH, F(ab′)2;diabodies; linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules (e.g.ScFv); and multi-specific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.Antibody fragments include antigen binding fragments either produced bythe modification of whole antibodies or those synthesized de novo usingrecombinant DNA methodologies (see, e.g., Kontermann and Dubel (Ed),Antibody Engineering, Vols. 1-2, 2^(nd) Ed., Springer Press, 2010).

A single-chain antibody (ScFv) is a genetically engineered moleculecontaining the VH and VL domains of one or more antibody(ies) linked bya suitable polypeptide linker as a genetically fused single chainmolecule (see, for example, Bird et al., Science, 242:423 426, 1988;Huston et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 85:5879 5883, 1988; Ahmad et al.,Clin. Dev. Immunol., 2012, doi:10.1155/2012/980250; Marbry, Idrugs,13:543-549, 2010). The intramolecular orientation of the VH-domain andthe VL-domain in a ScFv, is typically not decisive for ScFvs. Thus,ScFvs with both possible arrangements (VH-domain-linkerdomain-VL-domain; VL-domain-linker domain-VH-domain) may be used.

In a dsFv, the heavy and light chain variable chains have been mutatedto introduce a disulfide bond to stabilize the association of thechains. Diabodies also are included, which are bivalent, bispecificantibodies in which VH and VL domains are expressed on a singlepolypeptide chain, but using a linker that is too short to allow forpairing between the two domains on the same chain, thereby forcing thedomains to pair with complementary domains of another chain and creatingtwo antigen binding sites (see, for example, Holliger et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci., 90:6444 6448, 1993; Poljak et al., Structure, 2:11211123, 1994).

Antibodies also include genetically engineered forms such as chimericantibodies (such as humanized murine antibodies) and heteroconjugateantibodies (such as bispecific antibodies). See also, Pierce Catalog andHandbook, 1994-1995 (Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.); Kuby, J.,Immunology, 3^(rd) Ed., W.H. Freeman & Co., New York, 1997.

Non-naturally occurring antibodies can be constructed using solid phasepeptide synthesis, can be produced recombinantly, or can be obtained,for example, by screening combinatorial libraries consisting of variableheavy chains and variable light chains as described by Huse et al.,Science 246:1275-1281 (1989), which is incorporated herein by reference.These and other methods of making, for example, chimeric, humanized,CDR-grafted, single chain, and bifunctional antibodies, are well knownto those skilled in the art (Winter and Harris, Immunol. Today14:243-246 (1993); Ward et al., Nature 341:544-546 (1989); Harlow andLane, supra, 1988; Hilyard et al., Protein Engineering: A practicalapproach (IRL Press 1992); Borrabeck, Antibody Engineering, 2d ed.(Oxford University Press 1995); each of which is incorporated herein byreference).

An “antibody that binds to the same epitope” as a reference antibodyrefers to an antibody that blocks binding of the reference antibody toits antigen in a competition assay by 50% or more, and conversely, thereference antibody blocks binding of the antibody to its antigen in acompetition assay by 50% or more. Antibody competition assays are known,and an exemplary competition assay is provided herein.

A “humanized” antibody or antigen binding fragment includes a humanframework region and one or more CDRs from a non-human (such as a mouse,rat, or synthetic) antibody or antigen binding fragment. The non-humanantibody or antigen binding fragment providing the CDRs is termed a“donor,” and the human antibody or antigen binding fragment providingthe framework is termed an “acceptor.” In one embodiment, all the CDRsare from the donor immunoglobulin in a humanized immunoglobulin.Constant regions need not be present, but if they are, they can besubstantially identical to human immunoglobulin constant regions, suchas at least about 85-90%, such as about 95% or more identical. Hence,all parts of a humanized antibody or antigen binding fragment, exceptpossibly the CDRs, are substantially identical to corresponding parts ofnatural human antibody sequences.

A “chimeric antibody” is an antibody which includes sequences derivedfrom two different antibodies, which typically are of different species.In some examples, a chimeric antibody includes one or more CDRs and/orframework regions from one human antibody and CDRs and/or frameworkregions from another human antibody.

A “fully human antibody” or “human antibody” is an antibody whichincludes sequences from (or derived from) the human genome, and does notinclude sequence from another species. In some embodiments, a humanantibody includes CDRs, framework regions, and (if present) an Fc regionfrom (or derived from) the human genome. Human antibodies can beidentified and isolated using technologies for creating antibodies basedon sequences derived from the human genome, for example by phage displayor using transgenic animals (see, e.g., Barbas et al. Phage display: ALaboratory Manuel. 1^(st) Ed. New York: Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress, 2004. Print.; Lonberg, Nat. Biotech., 23: 1117-1125, 2005;Lonenberg, Curr. Opin. Immunol., 20:450-459, 2008).

An antibody may have one or more binding sites. If there is more thanone binding site, the binding sites may be identical to one another ormay be different. For instance, a naturally-occurring immunoglobulin hastwo identical binding sites, a single-chain antibody or Fab fragment hasone binding site, while a bispecific or bifunctional antibody has twodifferent binding sites.

Methods of testing antibodies for the ability to bind to any functionalportion of the CAR are known in the art and include any antibody-antigenbinding assay, such as, for example, radioimmunoassay (RIA), ELISA,Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and competitive inhibition assays(see, e.g., Janeway et al., infra, U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2002/0197266 A1, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,929).

Also, a CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR, an antibody, or antigen bindingportion thereof, can be modified to comprise a detectable label, suchas, for instance, a radioisotope, a fluorophore (e.g., fluoresceinisothiocyanate (FITC), phycoerythrin (PE)), an enzyme (e.g., alkalinephosphatase, horseradish peroxidase), and element particles (e.g., goldparticles).

C. Conjugates

A CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR, or monoclonal antibodies, or antigenbinding fragments thereof, specific for one or more of the antigensdisclosed herein, can be conjugated to an agent, such as an effectormolecule or detectable marker, using any number of means known to thoseof skill in the art. Both covalent and noncovalent attachment means maybe used. Conjugates include, but are not limited to, molecules in whichthere is a covalent linkage of an effector molecule or a detectablemarker to an antibody or antigen binding fragment that specificallybinds one or more of the antigens disclosed herein. One of skill in theart will appreciate that various effector molecules and detectablemarkers can be used, including (but not limited to) chemotherapeuticagents, anti-angiogenic agents, toxins, radioactive agents such as ¹²⁵I,³²P, ¹⁴C, ³H and ³⁵S and other labels, target moieties and ligands, etc.

The choice of a particular effector molecule or detectable markerdepends on the particular target molecule or cell, and the desiredbiological effect. Thus, for example, the effector molecule can be acytotoxin that is used to bring about the death of a particular targetcell (such as a tumor cell).

The procedure for attaching an effector molecule or detectable marker toan antibody or antigen binding fragment varies according to the chemicalstructure of the effector. Polypeptides typically contain a variety offunctional groups; such as carboxylic acid (COOH), free amine (—NH₂) orsulfhydryl (—SH) groups, which are available for reaction with asuitable functional group on an antibody to result in the binding of theeffector molecule or detectable marker. Alternatively, the antibody orantigen binding fragment is derivatized to expose or attach additionalreactive functional groups. The derivatization may involve attachment ofany of a number of known linker molecules such as those available fromPierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill. The linker can be any moleculeused to join the antibody or antigen binding fragment to the effectormolecule or detectable marker. The linker is capable of forming covalentbonds to both the antibody or antigen binding fragment and to theeffector molecule or detectable marker. Suitable linkers are well knownto those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to,straight or branched-chain carbon linkers, heterocyclic carbon linkers,or peptide linkers. Where the antibody or antigen binding fragment andthe effector molecule or detectable marker are polypeptides, the linkersmay be joined to the constituent amino acids through their side groups(such as through a disulfide linkage to cysteine) or to the alpha carbonamino and carboxyl groups of the terminal amino acids.

In several embodiments, the linker can include a spacer element, which,when present, increases the size of the linker such that the distancebetween the effector molecule or the detectable marker and the antibodyor antigen binding fragment is increased. Exemplary spacers are known tothe person of ordinary skill, and include those listed in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,964,5667, 498,298, 6,884,869, 6,323,315, 6,239,104, 6,034,065,5,780,588, 5,665,860, 5,663,149, 5,635,483, 5,599,902, 5,554,725,5,530,097, 5,521,284, 5,504,191, 5,410,024, 5,138,036, 5,076,973,4,986,988, 4,978,744, 4,879,278, 4,816,444, and 4,486,414, as well asU.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 20110212088 and 20110070248, each of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the linker is cleavable under intracellularconditions, such that cleavage of the linker releases the effectormolecule or detectable marker from the antibody or antigen bindingfragment in the intracellular environment. In yet other embodiments, thelinker is not cleavable and the effector molecule or detectable markeris released, for example, by antibody degradation. In some embodiments,the linker is cleavable by a cleaving agent that is present in theintracellular environment (for example, within a lysosome or endosome orcaveolea). The linker can be, for example, a peptide linker that iscleaved by an intracellular peptidase or protease enzyme, including, butnot limited to, a lysosomal or endosomal protease. In some embodiments,the peptide linker is at least two amino acids long or at least threeamino acids long. However, the linker can be 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14 or 15 amino acids long, such as 1-2, 1-3, 2-5, 3-10, 3-15,1-5, 1-10, 1-15 amino acids long. Proteases can include cathepsins B andD and plasmin, all of which are known to hydrolyze dipeptide drugderivatives resulting in the release of active drug inside target cells(see, for example, Dubowchik and Walker, 1999, Pharm. Therapeutics83:67-123). For example, a peptide linker that is cleavable by thethiol-dependent protease cathepsin-B, can be used (for example, aPhenylalanine-Leucine or a Glycine-Phenylalanine-Leucine-Glycinelinker). Other examples of such linkers are described, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 6,214,345, incorporated herein by reference. In a specificembodiment, the peptide linker cleavable by an intracellular protease isa Valine-Citruline linker or a Phenylalanine-Lysine linker (see, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,345, which describes the synthesis ofdoxorubicin with the Valine-Citruline linker).

In other embodiments, the cleavable linker is pH-sensitive, i.e.,sensitive to hydrolysis at certain pH values. Typically, thepH-sensitive linker is hydrolyzable under acidic conditions. Forexample, an acid-labile linker that is hydrolyzable in the lysosome (forexample, a hydrazone, semicarbazone, thiosemicarbazone, cis-aconiticamide, orthoester, acetal, ketal, or the like) can be used. (See, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,122,368; 5,824,805; 5,622,929; Dubowchik andWalker, 1999, Pharm. Therapeutics 83:67-123; Neville et al., 1989, Biol.Chem. 264:14653-14661.) Such linkers are relatively stable under neutralpH conditions, such as those in the blood, but are unstable at below pH5.5 or 5.0, the approximate pH of the lysosome. In certain embodiments,the hydrolyzable linker is a thioether linker (such as, for example, athioether attached to the therapeutic agent via an acylhydrazone bond(see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,929).

In other embodiments, the linker is cleavable under reducing conditions(for example, a disulfide linker). A variety of disulfide linkers areknown in the art, including, for example, those that can be formed usingSATA (N-succinimidyl-S-acetylthioacetate), SPDP(N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate), SPDB(N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)butyrate) and SMPT(N-succinimidyl-oxycarbonyl-alpha-methyl-alpha-(2-pyridyl-dithio)toluene)-,SPDB and SMPT. (See, for example, Thorpe et al., 1987, Cancer Res.47:5924-5931; Wawrzynczak et al., In Immunoconjugates: AntibodyConjugates in Radioimagery and Therapy of Cancer (C. W. Vogel ed.,Oxford U. Press, 1987); Phillips et al., Cancer Res. 68:92809290, 2008).See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,935.)

In yet other specific embodiments, the linker is a malonate linker(Johnson et al., 1995, Anticancer Res. 15:1387-93), a maleimidobenzoyllinker (Lau et al., 1995, Bioorg-Med-Chem. 3(10):1299-1304), or a3′-N-amide analog (Lau et al., 1995, Bioorg-Med-Chem. 3(10):1305-12).

In yet other embodiments, the linker is not cleavable and the effectormolecule or detectable marker is released by antibody degradation. (SeeU.S. Publication No. 2005/0238649 incorporated by reference herein inits entirety).

In several embodiments, the linker is resistant to cleavage in anextracellular environment. For example, no more than about 20%, no morethan about 15%, no more than about 10%, no more than about 5%, no morethan about 3%, or no more than about 1% of the linkers, in a sample ofconjugate, are cleaved when the conjugate is present in an extracellularenvironment (for example, in plasma). Whether or not a linker isresistant to cleavage in an extracellular environment can be determined,for example, by incubating the conjugate containing the linker ofinterest with plasma for a predetermined time period (for example, 2, 4,8, 16, or 24 hours) and then quantitating the amount of free effectormolecule or detectable marker present in the plasma. A variety ofexemplary linkers that can be used in conjugates are described in WO2004-010957, U.S. Publication No. 2006/0074008, U.S. Publication No.20050238649, and U.S. Publication No. 2006/0024317, each of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In several embodiments, conjugates of a CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR,an antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof, and one or more smallmolecule toxins, such as a calicheamicin, maytansinoids, dolastatins,auristatins, a trichothecene, and CC1065, and the derivatives of thesetoxins that have toxin activity, are provided.

Maytansine compounds suitable for use as maytansinoid toxin moieties arewell known in the art, and can be isolated from natural sourcesaccording to known methods, produced using genetic engineeringtechniques (see Yu et al., (2002) PNAS 99:7968-7973), or maytansinol andmaytansinol analogues prepared synthetically according to known methods.Maytansinoids are mitototic inhibitors which act by inhibiting tubulinpolymerization. Maytansine was first isolated from the east Africanshrub Maytenus serrata (U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,111). Subsequently, it wasdiscovered that certain microbes also produce maytansinoids, such asmaytansinol and C-3 maytansinol esters (U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,042).Synthetic maytansinol and derivatives and analogues thereof aredisclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,137,230; 4,248,870;4,256,746; 4,260,608; 4,265,814; 4,294,757; 4,307,016; 4,308,268;4,308,269; 4,309,428; 4,313,946; 4,315,929; 4,317,821; 4,322,348;4,331,598; 4,361,650; 4,364,866; 4,424,219; 4,450,254; 4,362,663; and4,371,533, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Conjugatescontaining maytansinoids, methods of making same, and their therapeuticuse are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,208,020; 5,416,064;6,441,163 and European Patent EP 0 425 235 B1, the disclosures of whichare hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

Additional toxins can be employed with a CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR,an antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof. Exemplary toxinsinclude Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE), ricin, abrin, diphtheria toxin andsubunits thereof, ribotoxin, ribonuclease, saporin, and calicheamicin,as well as botulinum toxins A through F. These toxins are well known inthe art and many are readily available from commercial sources (forexample, Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo.). Contemplated toxinsalso include variants of the toxins (see, for example, see, U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,079,163 and 4,689,401).

Saporin is a toxin derived from Saponaria officinalis that disruptsprotein synthesis by inactivating the 60S portion of the ribosomalcomplex (Stirpe et al., Bio/Technology, 10:405-412, 1992). However, thetoxin has no mechanism for specific entry into cells, and thereforerequires conjugation to an antibody or antigen binding fragment thatrecognizes a cell-surface protein that is internalized in order to beefficiently taken up by cells.

Diphtheria toxin is isolated from Corynebacterium diphtheriae.Typically, diphtheria toxin for use in immunotoxins is mutated to reduceor to eliminate non-specific toxicity. A mutant known as CRM107, whichhas full enzymatic activity but markedly reduced non-specific toxicity,has been known since the 1970's (Laird and Groman, J. Virol. 19:220,1976), and has been used in human clinical trials. See, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,792,458 and 5,208,021.

Ricin is the lectin RCA60 from Ricinus communis (Castor bean). Forexamples of ricin, see, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,163 and 4,689,401. Ricinuscommunis agglutinin (RCA) occurs in two forms designated RCA₆₀ andRCA₁₂₀ according to their molecular weights of approximately 65 and 120kD, respectively (Nicholson & Blaustein, J. Biochim. Biophys. Acta266:543, 1972). The A chain is responsible for inactivating proteinsynthesis and killing cells. The B chain binds ricin to cell-surfacegalactose residues and facilitates transport of the A chain into thecytosol (Olsnes et al., Nature 249:627-631, 1974 and U.S. Pat. No.3,060,165).

Ribonucleases have also been conjugated to targeting molecules for useas immunotoxins (see Suzuki et al., Nat. Biotech. 17:265-70, 1999).Exemplary ribotoxins such as α-sarcin and restrictocin are discussed in,for example Rathore et al., Gene 190:31-5, 1997; and Goyal and Batra,Biochem. 345 Pt 2:247-54, 2000. Calicheamicins were first isolated fromMicromonospora echinospora and are members of the enediyne antitumorantibiotic family that cause double strand breaks in DNA that lead toapoptosis (see, for example Lee et al., J. Antibiot. 42:1070-87, 1989).The drug is the toxic moiety of an immunotoxin in clinical trials (see,for example, Gillespie et al., Ann. Oncol. 11:735-41, 2000).

Abrin includes toxic lectins from Abrus precatorius. The toxicprinciples, abrin a, b, c, and d, have a molecular weight of from about63 and 67 kD and are composed of two disulfide-linked polypeptide chainsA and B. The A chain inhibits protein synthesis; the B chain (abrin-b)binds to D-galactose residues (see, Funatsu et al., Agr. Biol. Chem.52:1095, 1988; and Olsnes, Methods Enzymol. 50:330-335, 1978).

A CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR, monoclonal antibodies, antigen bindingfragments thereof, specific for one or more of the antigens disclosedherein, can also be conjugated with a detectable marker; for example, adetectable marker capable of detection by ELISA, spectrophotometry, flowcytometry, microscopy or diagnostic imaging techniques (such as computedtomography (CT), computed axial tomography (CAT) scans, magneticresonance imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging NMRI),magnetic resonance tomography (MTR), ultrasound, fiberoptic examination,and laparoscopic examination). Specific, non-limiting examples ofdetectable markers include fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents,enzymatic linkages, radioactive isotopes and heavy metals or compounds(for example super paramagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals for detection byMRI). For example, useful detectable markers include fluorescentcompounds, including fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine,5-dimethylamine-1-napthalenesulfonyl chloride, phycoerythrin, lanthanidephosphors and the like. Bioluminescent markers are also of use, such asluciferase, Green fluorescent protein (GFP), Yellow fluorescent protein(YFP). A CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR, an antibody, or antigen bindingportion thereof, can also be conjugated with enzymes that are useful fordetection, such as horseradish peroxidase, β-galactosidase, luciferase,alkaline phosphatase, glucose oxidase and the like. When a CAR, a T cellexpressing a CAR, an antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof, isconjugated with a detectable enzyme, it can be detected by addingadditional reagents that the enzyme uses to produce a reaction productthat can be discerned. For example, when the agent horseradishperoxidase is present the addition of hydrogen peroxide anddiaminobenzidine leads to a colored reaction product, which is visuallydetectable. A CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR, an antibody, or antigenbinding portion thereof, may also be conjugated with biotin, anddetected through indirect measurement of avidin or streptavidin binding.It should be noted that the avidin itself can be conjugated with anenzyme or a fluorescent label.

A CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR, an antibody, or antigen bindingportion thereof, may be conjugated with a paramagnetic agent, such asgadolinium. Paramagnetic agents such as superparamagnetic iron oxide arealso of use as labels. Antibodies can also be conjugated withlanthanides (such as europium and dysprosium), and manganese. Anantibody or antigen binding fragment may also be labeled with apredetermined polypeptide epitopes recognized by a secondary reporter(such as leucine zipper pair sequences, binding sites for secondaryantibodies, metal binding domains, epitope tags).

A CAR, a T cell expressing a CAR, an antibody, or antigen bindingportion thereof, can also be conjugated with a radiolabeled amino acid.The radiolabel may be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.For instance, the radiolabel may be used to detect one or more of theantigens disclosed herein and antigen expressing cells by x-ray,emission spectra, or other diagnostic techniques. Further, theradiolabel may be used therapeutically as a toxin for treatment oftumors in a subject, for example for treatment of a neuroblastoma.Examples of labels for polypeptides include, but are not limited to, thefollowing radioisotopes or radionucleotides: ³H, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ³⁵S, ⁹⁰Y,⁹⁹Tc, ¹¹¹In, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I.

Means of detecting such detectable markers are well known to those ofskill in the art. Thus, for example, radiolabels may be detected usingphotographic film or scintillation counters, fluorescent markers may bedetected using a photodetector to detect emitted illumination. Enzymaticlabels are typically detected by providing the enzyme with a substrateand detecting the reaction product produced by the action of the enzymeon the substrate, and colorimetric labels are detected by simplyvisualizing the colored label.

D. Nucleotides, Expression, Vectors, and Host Cells

Further provided by an embodiment of the invention is a nucleic acidcomprising a nucleotide sequence encoding any of the CARs, an antibody,or antigen binding portion thereof, described herein (includingfunctional portions and functional variants thereof). The nucleic acidsof the invention may comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding any of theleader sequences, antigen binding domains, transmembrane domains, and/orintracellular T cell signaling domains described herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleotide sequence may be codon-modified.Without being bound to a particular theory, it is believed that codonoptimization of the nucleotide sequence increases the translationefficiency of the mRNA transcripts. Codon optimization of the nucleotidesequence may involve substituting a native codon for another codon thatencodes the same amino acid, but can be translated by tRNA that is morereadily available within a cell, thus increasing translation efficiency.Optimization of the nucleotide sequence may also reduce secondary mRNAstructures that would interfere with translation, thus increasingtranslation efficiency.

In an embodiment of the invention, the nucleic acid may comprise acodon-modified nucleotide sequence that encodes the antigen bindingdomain of the inventive CAR. In another embodiment of the invention, thenucleic acid may comprise a codon-modified nucleotide sequence thatencodes any of the CARs described herein (including functional portionsand functional variants thereof).

“Nucleic acid” as used herein includes “polynucleotide,”“oligonucleotide,” and “nucleic acid molecule,” and generally means apolymer of DNA or RNA, which can be single-stranded or double-stranded,synthesized or obtained (e.g., isolated and/or purified) from naturalsources, which can contain natural, non-natural or altered nucleotides,and which can contain a natural, non-natural or altered internucleotidelinkage, such as a phosphoroamidate linkage or a phosphorothioatelinkage, instead of the phosphodiester found between the nucleotides ofan unmodified oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the nucleic aciddoes not comprise any insertions, deletions, inversions, and/orsubstitutions. However, it may be suitable in some instances, asdiscussed herein, for the nucleic acid to comprise one or moreinsertions, deletions, inversions, and/or substitutions.

A recombinant nucleic acid may be one that has a sequence that is notnaturally occurring or has a sequence that is made by an artificialcombination of two otherwise separated segments of sequence. Thisartificial combination is often accomplished by chemical synthesis or,more commonly, by the artificial manipulation of isolated segments ofnucleic acids, e.g., by genetic engineering techniques, such as thosedescribed in Sambrook et al., supra. The nucleic acids can beconstructed based on chemical synthesis and/or enzymatic ligationreactions using procedures known in the art. See, for example, Sambrooket al., supra, and Ausubel et al., supra. For example, a nucleic acidcan be chemically synthesized using naturally occurring nucleotides orvariously modified nucleotides designed to increase the biologicalstability of the molecules or to increase the physical stability of theduplex formed upon hybridization (e.g., phosphorothioate derivatives andacridine substituted nucleotides). Examples of modified nucleotides thatcan be used to generate the nucleic acids include, but are not limitedto, 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-iodouracil,hypoxanthine, xanthine, 4-acetylcytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxymethyl)uracil, -carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine,5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil,beta-D-galactosylqueosine, inosine, N6-isopentenyladenine,1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine,2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-substitutedadenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil,5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine,5′-methoxycarboxymethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil,2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v),wybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine,5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil,uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, 3-(3-amino-3-N-2-carboxypropyl)uracil, and 2,6-diaminopurine. Alternatively, one or more of the nucleicacids of the invention can be purchased from companies, such asIntegrated DNA Technologies (Coralville, Iowa, USA).

The nucleic acid can comprise any isolated or purified nucleotidesequence which encodes any of the CARs or functional portions orfunctional variants thereof. Alternatively, the nucleotide sequence cancomprise a nucleotide sequence which is degenerate to any of thesequences or a combination of degenerate sequences.

An embodiment also provides an isolated or purified nucleic acidcomprising a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to thenucleotide sequence of any of the nucleic acids described herein or anucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent conditions to thenucleotide sequence of any of the nucleic acids described herein.

The nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent conditions mayhybridize under high stringency conditions. By “high stringencyconditions” is meant that the nucleotide sequence specificallyhybridizes to a target sequence (the nucleotide sequence of any of thenucleic acids described herein) in an amount that is detectably strongerthan non-specific hybridization. High stringency conditions includeconditions which would distinguish a polynucleotide with an exactcomplementary sequence, or one containing only a few scatteredmismatches from a random sequence that happened to have a few smallregions (e.g., 3-10 bases) that matched the nucleotide sequence. Suchsmall regions of complementarity are more easily melted than afull-length complement of 14-17 or more bases, and high stringencyhybridization makes them easily distinguishable. Relatively highstringency conditions would include, for example, low salt and/or hightemperature conditions, such as provided by about 0.02-0.1 M NaCl or theequivalent, at temperatures of about 50-70° C. Such high stringencyconditions tolerate little, if any, mismatch between the nucleotidesequence and the template or target strand, and are particularlysuitable for detecting expression of any of the inventive CARs. It isgenerally appreciated that conditions can be rendered more stringent bythe addition of increasing amounts of formamide.

Also provided is a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that isat least about 70% or more, e.g., about 80%, about 90%, about 91%, about92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%,or about 99% identical to any of the nucleic acids described herein.

In an embodiment, the nucleic acids can be incorporated into arecombinant expression vector. In this regard, an embodiment providesrecombinant expression vectors comprising any of the nucleic acids. Forpurposes herein, the term “recombinant expression vector” means agenetically-modified oligonucleotide or polynucleotide construct thatpermits the expression of an mRNA, protein, polypeptide, or peptide by ahost cell, when the construct comprises a nucleotide sequence encodingthe mRNA, protein, polypeptide, or peptide, and the vector is contactedwith the cell under conditions sufficient to have the mRNA, protein,polypeptide, or peptide expressed within the cell. The vectors are notnaturally-occurring as a whole.

However, parts of the vectors can be naturally-occurring. Therecombinant expression vectors can comprise any type of nucleotides,including, but not limited to DNA and RNA, which can be single-strandedor double-stranded, synthesized or obtained in part from naturalsources, and which can contain natural, non-natural or alterednucleotides. The recombinant expression vectors can comprisenaturally-occurring or non-naturally-occurring internucleotide linkages,or both types of linkages. Preferably, the non-naturally occurring oraltered nucleotides or internucleotide linkages do not hinder thetranscription or replication of the vector.

In an embodiment, the recombinant expression vector can be any suitablerecombinant expression vector, and can be used to transform or transfectany suitable host cell. Suitable vectors include those designed forpropagation and expansion or for expression or both, such as plasmidsand viruses. The vector can be selected from the group consisting of thepUC series (Fermentas Life Sciences, Glen Burnie, Md.), the pBluescriptseries (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.), the pET series (Novagen, Madison,Wis.), the pGEX series (Pharmacia Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden), and the pEXseries (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.).

Bacteriophage vectors, such as λ{umlaut over ({acute over (υ)})}TIO,λ{circumflex over (υ)}TI 1, λZapII (Stratagene), EMBL4, and λNMI 149,also can be used. Examples of plant expression vectors include pBIO1,pBI101.2, pBHO1.3, pBI121 and pBIN19 (Clontech). Examples of animalexpression vectors include pEUK-Cl, pMAM, and pMAMneo (Clontech). Therecombinant expression vector may be a viral vector, e.g., a retroviralvector or a lentiviral vector. A lentiviral vector is a vector derivedfrom at least a portion of a lentivirus genome, including especially aself-inactivating lentiviral vector as provided in Milone et al., Mol.Ther. 17(8): 1453-1464 (2009). Other examples of lentivirus vectors thatmay be used in the clinic, include, for example, and not by way oflimitation, the LENTIVECTOR® gene delivery technology from OxfordBioMedica plc, the LENTIMAX™ vector system from Lentigen and the like.Nonclinical types of lentiviral vectors are also available and would beknown to one skilled in the art.

A number of transfection techniques are generally known in the art (see,e.g., Graham et al., Virology, 52: 456-467 (1973); Sambrook et al.,supra; Davis et al., Basic Methods in Molecular Biology, Elsevier(1986); and Chu et al, Gene, 13: 97 (1981).

Transfection methods include calcium phosphate co-precipitation (see,e.g., Graham et al., supra), direct micro injection into cultured cells(see, e.g., Capecchi, Cell, 22: 479-488 (1980)), electroporation (see,e.g., Shigekawa et al., BioTechniques, 6: 742-751 (1988)), liposomemediated gene transfer (see, e.g., Mannino et al., BioTechniques, 6:682-690 (1988)), lipid mediated transduction (see, e.g., Feigner et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84: 7413-7417 (1987)), and nucleic aciddelivery using high velocity microprojectiles (see, e.g., Klein et al,Nature, 327: 70-73 (1987)).

In an embodiment, the recombinant expression vectors can be preparedusing standard recombinant DNA techniques described in, for example,Sambrook et al., supra, and Ausubel et al., supra. Constructs ofexpression vectors, which are circular or linear, can be prepared tocontain a replication system functional in a prokaryotic or eukaryotichost cell. Replication systems can be derived, e.g., from ColEl, 2μplasmid, λ, SV40, bovine papilloma virus, and the like.

The recombinant expression vector may comprise regulatory sequences,such as transcription and translation initiation and termination codons,which are specific to the type of host cell (e.g., bacterium, fungus,plant, or animal) into which the vector is to be introduced, asappropriate, and taking into consideration whether the vector is DNA- orRNA-based. The recombinant expression vector may comprise restrictionsites to facilitate cloning.

The recombinant expression vector can include one or more marker genes,which allow for selection of transformed or transfected host cells.Marker genes include biocide resistance, e.g., resistance toantibiotics, heavy metals, etc., complementation in an auxotrophic hostto provide prototrophy, and the like. Suitable marker genes for theinventive expression vectors include, for instance, neomycin/G418resistance genes, hygromycin resistance genes, histidinol resistancegenes, tetracycline resistance genes, and ampicillin resistance genes.

The recombinant expression vector can comprise a native or nonnativepromoter operably linked to the nucleotide sequence encoding the CAR(including functional portions and functional variants thereof), or tothe nucleotide sequence which is complementary to or which hybridizes tothe nucleotide sequence encoding the CAR. The selection of promoters,e.g., strong, weak, inducible, tissue-specific anddevelopmental-specific, is within the ordinary skill of the artisan.Similarly, the combining of a nucleotide sequence with a promoter isalso within the skill of the artisan. The promoter can be a non-viralpromoter or a viral promoter, e.g., a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, anSV40 promoter, an RSV promoter, or a promoter found in the long-terminalrepeat of the murine stem cell virus.

The recombinant expression vectors can be designed for either transientexpression, for stable expression, or for both. Also, the recombinantexpression vectors can be made for constitutive expression or forinducible expression.

Further, the recombinant expression vectors can be made to include asuicide gene. As used herein, the term “suicide gene” refers to a genethat causes the cell expressing the suicide gene to die. The suicidegene can be a gene that confers sensitivity to an agent, e.g., a drug,upon the cell in which the gene is expressed, and causes the cell to diewhen the cell is contacted with or exposed to the agent. Suicide genesare known in the art (see, for example, Suicide Gene Therapy: Methodsand Reviews, Springer, Caroline J. (Cancer Research UK Centre for CancerTherapeutics at the Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK),Humana Press, 2004) and include, for example, the Herpes Simplex Virus(HSV) thymidine kinase (TK) gene, cytosine daminase, purine nucleosidephosphorylase, and nitroreductase.

An embodiment further provides a host cell comprising any of therecombinant expression vectors described herein. As used herein, theterm “host cell” refers to any type of cell that can contain theinventive recombinant expression vector. The host cell can be aeukaryotic cell, e.g., plant, animal, fungi, or algae, or can be aprokaryotic cell, e.g., bacteria or protozoa. The host cell can be acultured cell or a primary cell, i.e., isolated directly from anorganism, e.g., a human. The host cell can be an adherent cell or asuspended cell, i.e., a cell that grows in suspension. Suitable hostcells are known in the art and include, for instance, DH5a E. colicells, Chinese hamster ovarian cells, monkey VERO cells, COS cells,HEK293 cells, and the like. For purposes of amplifying or replicatingthe recombinant expression vector, the host cell may be a prokaryoticcell, e.g., a DH5a cell. For purposes of producing a recombinant CAR,the host cell may be a mammalian cell. The host cell may be a humancell. While the host cell can be of any cell type, can originate fromany type of tissue, and can be of any developmental stage, the host cellmay be a peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) or a peripheral bloodmononuclear cell (PBMC). The host cell may be a T cell.

For purposes herein, the T cell can be any T cell, such as a cultured Tcell, e.g., a primary T cell, or a T cell from a cultured T cell line,e.g., Jurkat, SupTl, etc., or a T cell obtained from a mammal. Ifobtained from a mammal, the T cell can be obtained from numeroussources, including but not limited to blood, bone marrow, lymph node,the thymus, or other tissues or fluids. T cells can also be enriched foror purified. The T cell may be a human T cell. The T cell may be a Tcell isolated from a human. The T cell can be any type of T cell and canbe of any developmental stage, including but not limited to, CD4⁺/CD8⁺double positive T cells, CD4⁺ helper T cells, e.g., Th1 and Th2 cells,CD8⁺ T cells (e.g., cytotoxic T cells), tumor infiltrating cells, memoryT cells, memory stem cells, i.e. Tscm, naive T cells, and the like. TheT cell may be a CD8⁺ T cell or a CD4⁺ T cell.

In an embodiment, the CARs as described herein can be used in suitablenon-T cells. Such cells are those with an immune-effector function, suchas, for example, NK cells, and T-like cells generated from pluripotentstem cells.

Also provided by an embodiment is a population of cells comprising atleast one host cell described herein. The population of cells can be aheterogeneous population comprising the host cell comprising any of therecombinant expression vectors described, in addition to at least oneother cell, e.g., a host cell (e.g., a T cell), which does not compriseany of the recombinant expression vectors, or a cell other than a Tcell, e.g., a B cell, a macrophage, a neutrophil, an erythrocyte, ahepatocyte, an endothelial cell, an epithelial cell, a muscle cell, abrain cell, etc. Alternatively, the population of cells can be asubstantially homogeneous population, in which the population comprisesmainly host cells (e.g., consisting essentially of) comprising therecombinant expression vector. The population also can be a clonalpopulation of cells, in which all cells of the population are clones ofa single host cell comprising a recombinant expression vector, such thatall cells of the population comprise the recombinant expression vector.In one embodiment of the invention, the population of cells is a clonalpopulation comprising host cells comprising a recombinant expressionvector as described herein.

CARs (including functional portions and variants thereof), nucleicacids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells (including populationsthereof), and antibodies (including antigen binding portions thereof),can be isolated and/or purified. For example, a purified (or isolated)host cell preparation is one in which the host cell is more pure thancells in their natural environment within the body. Such host cells maybe produced, for example, by standard purification techniques. In someembodiments, a preparation of a host cell is purified such that the hostcell represents at least about 50%, for example at least about 70%, ofthe total cell content of the preparation. For example, the purity canbe at least about 50%, can be greater than about 60%, about 70% or about80%, or can be about 100%.

E. Methods of Treatment

It is contemplated that the CARs disclosed herein can be used in methodsof treating or preventing a disease in a mammal. In this regard, anembodiment provides a method of treating or preventing cancer in amammal, comprising administering to the mammal the CARs, the nucleicacids, the recombinant expression vectors, the host cells, thepopulation of cells, the antibodies and/or the antigen binding portionsthereof, and/or the pharmaceutical compositions in an amount effectiveto treat or prevent cancer in the mammal.

An embodiment further comprises lymphodepleting the mammal prior toadministering the CARs disclosed herein. Examples of lymphodepletioninclude, but may not be limited to, nonmyeloablative lymphodepletingchemotherapy, myeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, total bodyirradiation, etc.

For purposes of the methods, wherein host cells or populations of cellsare administered, the cells can be cells that are allogeneic orautologous to the mammal. Preferably, the cells are autologous to themammal. As used herein, allogeneic means any material derived from adifferent animal of the same species as the individual to whom thematerial is introduced. Two or more individuals are said to beallogeneic to one another when the genes at one or more loci are notidentical. In some aspects, allogeneic material from individuals of thesame species may be sufficiently unlike genetically to interactantigenically. As used herein, “autologous” means any material derivedfrom the same individual to whom it is later to be re-introduced intothe individual.

The mammal referred to herein can be any mammal. As used herein, theterm “mammal” refers to any mammal, including, but not limited to,mammals of the order Rodentia, such as mice and hamsters, and mammals ofthe order Logomorpha, such as rabbits. The mammals may be from the orderCarnivora, including Felines (cats) and Canines (dogs). The mammals maybe from the order Artiodactyla, including Bovines (cows) and Swines(pigs) or of the order Perssodactyla, including Equines (horses). Themammals may be of the order Primates, Ceboids, or Simoids (monkeys) orof the order Anthropoids (humans and apes). Preferably, the mammal is ahuman.

With respect to the methods, the cancer can be any cancer, including anyof acute lymphocytic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, alveolarrhabdomyosarcoma, bladder cancer (e.g., bladder carcinoma), bone cancer,brain cancer (e.g., medulloblastoma), breast cancer, cancer of the anus,anal canal, or anorectum, cancer of the eye, cancer of the intrahepaticbile duct, cancer of the joints, cancer of the neck, gallbladder, orpleura, cancer of the nose, nasal cavity, or middle ear, cancer of theoral cavity, cancer of the vulva, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronicmyeloid cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer,fibrosarcoma, gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor, head and neck cancer(e.g., head and neck squamous cell carcinoma), Hodgkin lymphoma,hypopharynx cancer, kidney cancer, larynx cancer, leukemia, liquidtumors, liver cancer, lung cancer (e.g., non-small cell lung carcinomaand lung adenocarcinoma), lymphoma, mesothelioma, mastocytoma, melanoma,multiple myeloma, nasopharynx cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, B-chroniclymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia(ALL), and Burkitt's lymphoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer,peritoneum, omentum, and mesentery cancer, pharynx cancer, prostatecancer, rectal cancer, renal cancer, skin cancer, small intestinecancer, soft tissue cancer, solid tumors, synovial sarcoma, gastriccancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, and ureter cancer.

The terms “treat,” and “prevent” as well as words stemming therefrom, asused herein, do not necessarily imply 100% or complete treatment orprevention. Rather, there are varying degrees of treatment or preventionof which one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes as having apotential benefit or therapeutic effect. In this respect, the methodscan provide any amount or any level of treatment or prevention of cancerin a mammal.

Furthermore, the treatment or prevention provided by the method caninclude treatment or prevention of one or more conditions or symptoms ofthe disease, e.g., cancer, being treated or prevented. Also, forpurposes herein, “prevention” can encompass delaying the onset of thedisease, or a symptom or condition thereof.

Another embodiment provides a method of detecting the presence of cancerin a mammal, comprising: (a) contacting a sample comprising one or morecells from the mammal with the CARs, the nucleic acids, the recombinantexpression vectors, the host cells, the population of cells, theantibodies, and/or the antigen binding portions thereof, or thepharmaceutical compositions, thereby forming a complex, (b) anddetecting the complex, wherein detection of the complex is indicative ofthe presence of cancer in the mammal.

The sample may be obtained by any suitable method, e.g., biopsy ornecropsy. A biopsy is the removal of tissue and/or cells from anindividual. Such removal may be to collect tissue and/or cells from theindividual in order to perform experimentation on the removed tissueand/or cells. This experimentation may include experiments to determineif the individual has and/or is suffering from a certain condition ordisease-state. The condition or disease may be, e.g., cancer.

With respect to an embodiment of the method of detecting the presence ofa proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer, in a mammal, the samplecomprising cells of the mammal can be a sample comprising whole cells,lysates thereof, or a fraction of the whole cell lysates, e.g., anuclear or cytoplasmic fraction, a whole protein fraction, or a nucleicacid fraction. If the sample comprises whole cells, the cells can be anycells of the mammal, e.g., the cells of any organ or tissue, includingblood cells or endothelial cells.

The contacting can take place in vitro or in vivo with respect to themammal. Preferably, the contacting is in vitro.

Also, detection of the complex can occur through any number of waysknown in the art. For instance, the CARs disclosed herein, polypeptides,proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells,populations of cells, or antibodies, or antigen binding portionsthereof, described herein, can be labeled with a detectable label suchas, for instance, a radioisotope, a fluorophore (e.g., fluoresceinisothiocyanate (FITC), phycoerythrin (PE)), an enzyme (e.g., alkalinephosphatase, horseradish peroxidase), and element particles (e.g., goldparticles) as disclosed supra.

Methods of testing a CAR for the ability to recognize target cells andfor antigen specificity are known in the art. For instance, Clay et al.,J. Immunol, 163: 507-513 (1999), teaches methods of measuring therelease of cytokines (e.g., interferon-γ, granulocyte/monocyte colonystimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α) orinterleukin 2 (IL-2)). In addition, CAR function can be evaluated bymeasurement of cellular cytotoxicity, as described in Zhao et al, J.Immunol, 174: 4415-4423 (2005).

Another embodiment provides for the use of the CARs, nucleic acids,recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells,antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, and/or pharmaceuticalcompositions of the invention, for the treatment or prevention of aproliferative disorder, e.g., cancer, in a mammal. The cancer may be anyof the cancers described herein.

Any method of administration can be used for the disclosed therapeuticagents, including local and systemic administration. For example,topical, oral, intravascular such as intravenous, intramuscular,intraperitoneal, intranasal, intradermal, intrathecal and subcutaneousadministration can be used. The particular mode of administration andthe dosage regimen will be selected by the attending clinician, takinginto account the particulars of the case (for example the subject, thedisease, the disease state involved, and whether the treatment isprophylactic). In cases in which more than one agent or composition isbeing administered, one or more routes of administration may be used;for example, a chemotherapeutic agent may be administered orally and anantibody or antigen binding fragment or conjugate or composition may beadministered intravenously. Methods of administration include injectionfor which the CAR, CAR T Cell, conjugates, antibodies, antigen bindingfragments, or compositions are provided in a nontoxic pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier such as water, saline, Ringer's solution, dextrosesolution, 5% human serum albumin, fixed oils, ethyl oleate, orliposomes. In some embodiments, local administration of the disclosedcompounds can be used, for instance by applying the antibody or antigenbinding fragment to a region of tissue from which a tumor has beenremoved, or a region suspected of being prone to tumor development. Insome embodiments, sustained intra-tumoral (or near-tumoral) release ofthe pharmaceutical preparation that includes a therapeutically effectiveamount of the antibody or antigen binding fragment may be beneficial. Inother examples, the conjugate is applied as an eye drop topically to thecornea, or intravitreally into the eye.

The disclosed therapeutic agents can be formulated in unit dosage formsuitable for individual administration of precise dosages. In addition,the disclosed therapeutic agents may be administered in a single dose orin a multiple dose schedule. A multiple dose schedule is one in which aprimary course of treatment may be with more than one separate dose, forinstance 1-10 doses, followed by other doses given at subsequent timeintervals as needed to maintain or reinforce the action of thecompositions. Treatment can involve daily or multi-daily doses ofcompound(s) over a period of a few days to months, or even years. Thus,the dosage regime will also, at least in part, be determined based onthe particular needs of the subject to be treated and will be dependentupon the judgment of the administering practitioner.

Typical dosages of the antibodies or conjugates can range from about0.01 to about 30 mg/kg, such as from about 0.1 to about 10 mg/kg.

In particular examples, the subject is administered a therapeuticcomposition that includes one or more of the conjugates, antibodies,compositions, CARs, CAR T cells or additional agents, on a multipledaily dosing schedule, such as at least two consecutive days, 10consecutive days, and so forth, for example for a period of weeks,months, or years. In one example, the subject is administered theconjugates, antibodies, compositions or additional agents for a periodof at least 30 days, such as at least 2 months, at least 4 months, atleast 6 months, at least 12 months, at least 24 months, or at least 36months.

In some embodiments, the disclosed methods include providing surgery,radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapeutics to the subject incombination with a disclosed antibody, antigen binding fragment,conjugate, CAR or T cell expressing a CAR (for example, sequentially,substantially simultaneously, or simultaneously). Methods andtherapeutic dosages of such agents and treatments are known to thoseskilled in the art, and can be determined by a skilled clinician.Preparation and dosing schedules for the additional agent may be usedaccording to manufacturer's instructions or as determined empirically bythe skilled practitioner. Preparation and dosing schedules for suchchemotherapy are also described in Chemotherapy Service, (1992) Ed., M.C. Perry, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Md.

In some embodiments, the combination therapy can include administrationof a therapeutically effective amount of an additional cancer inhibitorto a subject. Non-limiting examples of additional therapeutic agentsthat can be used with the combination therapy include microtubulebinding agents, DNA intercalators or cross-linkers, DNA synthesisinhibitors, DNA and RNA transcription inhibitors, antibodies, enzymes,enzyme inhibitors, gene regulators, and angiogenesis inhibitors. Theseagents (which are administered at a therapeutically effective amount)and treatments can be used alone or in combination. For example, anysuitable anti-cancer or anti-angiogenic agent can be administered incombination with the CARS, CAR-T cells, antibodies, antigen bindingfragment, or conjugates disclosed herein. Methods and therapeuticdosages of such agents are known to those skilled in the art, and can bedetermined by a skilled clinician.

Additional chemotherapeutic agents include, but are not limited toalkylating agents, such as nitrogen mustards (for example, chlorambucil,chlormethine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and melphalan), nitrosoureas(for example, carmustine, fotemustine, lomustine, and streptozocin),platinum compounds (for example, carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin,and BBR3464), busulfan, dacarbazine, mechlorethamine, procarbazine,temozolomide, thiotepa, and uramustine; antimetabolites, such as folicacid (for example, methotrexate, pemetrexed, and raltitrexed), purine(for example, cladribine, clofarabine, fludarabine, mercaptopurine, andtioguanine), pyrimidine (for example, capecitabine), cytarabine,fluorouracil, and gemcitabine; plant alkaloids, such as podophyllum (forexample, etoposide, and teniposide), taxane (for example, docetaxel andpaclitaxel), vinca (for example, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine,and vinorelbine); cytotoxic/antitumor antibiotics, such as anthracyclinefamily members (for example, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin,idarubicin, mitoxantrone, and valrubicin), bleomycin, rifampicin,hydroxyurea, and mitomycin; topoisomerase inhibitors, such as topotecanand irinotecan; monoclonal antibodies, such as alemtuzumab, bevacizumab,cetuximab, gemtuzumab, rituximab, panitumumab, pertuzumab, andtrastuzumab; photosensitizers, such as aminolevulinic acid, methylaminolevulinate, porfimer sodium, and verteporfin; and other agents,such as alitretinoin, altretamine, amsacrine, anagrelide, arsenictrioxide, asparaginase, axitinib, bexarotene, bevacizumab, bortezomib,celecoxib, denileukin diftitox, erlotinib, estramustine, gefitinib,hydroxycarbamide, imatinib, lapatinib, pazopanib, pentostatin, masoprocol, mitotane, pegaspargase, tamoxifen, sorafenib, sunitinib,vemurafinib, vandetanib, and tretinoin. Selection and therapeuticdosages of such agents are known to those skilled in the art, and can bedetermined by a skilled clinician.

The combination therapy may provide synergy and prove synergistic, thatis, the effect achieved when the active ingredients used together isgreater than the sum of the effects that results from using thecompounds separately. A synergistic effect may be attained when theactive ingredients are: (1) co-formulated and administered or deliveredsimultaneously in a combined, unit dosage formulation; (2) delivered byalternation or in parallel as separate formulations; or (3) by someother regimen. When delivered in alternation, a synergistic effect maybe attained when the compounds are administered or deliveredsequentially, for example by different injections in separate syringes.In general, during alternation, an effective dosage of each activeingredient is administered sequentially, i.e. serially, whereas incombination therapy, effective dosages of two or more active ingredientsare administered together.

In one embodiment, an effective amount of an antibody or antigen bindingfragment that specifically binds to one or more of the antigensdisclosed herein or a conjugate thereof is administered to a subjecthaving a tumor following anti-cancer treatment. After a sufficientamount of time has elapsed to allow for the administered antibody orantigen binding fragment or conjugate to form an immune complex with theantigen expressed on the respective cancer cell, the immune complex isdetected. The presence (or absence) of the immune complex indicates theeffectiveness of the treatment. For example, an increase in the immunecomplex compared to a control taken prior to the treatment indicatesthat the treatment is not effective, whereas a decrease in the immunecomplex compared to a control taken prior to the treatment indicatesthat the treatment is effective.

F. Biopharmaceutical Compositions

Biopharmaceutical or biologics compositions (hereinafter,“compositions”) are provided herein for use in gene therapy,immunotherapy and/or cell therapy that include one or more of thedisclosed CARs, or T cells expressing a CAR, antibodies, antigen bindingfragments, conjugates, CARs, or T cells expressing a CAR thatspecifically bind to one or more antigens disclosed herein, in a carrier(such as a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier). The compositions can beprepared in unit dosage forms for administration to a subject. Theamount and timing of administration are at the discretion of thetreating clinician to achieve the desired outcome. The compositions canbe formulated for systemic (such as intravenous) or local (such asintra-tumor) administration. In one example, a disclosed CARs, or Tcells expressing a CAR, antibody, antigen binding fragment, conjugate,is formulated for parenteral administration, such as intravenousadministration. Compositions including a CAR, or T cell expressing aCAR, a conjugate, antibody or antigen binding fragment as disclosedherein are of use, for example, for the treatment and detection of atumor, for example, and not by way of limitation, a neuroblastoma. Insome examples, the compositions are useful for the treatment ordetection of a carcinoma. The compositions including a CAR, or T cellexpressing a CAR, a conjugate, antibody or antigen binding fragment asdisclosed herein are also of use, for example, for the detection ofpathological angiogenesis.

The compositions for administration can include a solution of the CAR,or T cell expressing a CAR, conjugate, antibody or antigen bindingfragment dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as anaqueous carrier. A variety of aqueous carriers can be used, for example,buffered saline and the like. These solutions are sterile and generallyfree of undesirable matter. These compositions may be sterilized byconventional, well known sterilization techniques. The compositions maycontain pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required toapproximate physiological conditions such as pH adjusting and bufferingagents, toxicity adjusting agents, adjuvant agents, and the like, forexample, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calciumchloride, sodium lactate and the like. The concentration of a CAR, or Tcell expressing a CAR, antibody or antigen binding fragment or conjugatein these formulations can vary widely, and will be selected primarilybased on fluid volumes, viscosities, body weight and the like inaccordance with the particular mode of administration selected and thesubject's needs. Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms for usein in gene therapy, immunotherapy and/or cell therapy are known, or willbe apparent, to those skilled in the art.

A typical composition for intravenous administration includes about 0.01to about 30 mg/kg of antibody or antigen binding fragment or conjugateper subject per day (or the corresponding dose of a CAR, or T cellexpressing a CAR, conjugate including the antibody or antigen bindingfragment). Actual methods for preparing administrable compositions willbe known or apparent to those skilled in the art and are described inmore detail in such publications as Remington's Pharmaceutical Science,19^(th) ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1995).

A CAR, or T cell expressing a CAR, antibodies, antigen bindingfragments, or conjugates may be provided in lyophilized form andrehydrated with sterile water before administration, although they arealso provided in sterile solutions of known concentration. The CARs, orT cells expressing a CAR, antibody or antigen binding fragment orconjugate solution is then added to an infusion bag containing 0.9%sodium chloride, USP, and in some cases administered at a dosage of from0.5 to 15 mg/kg of body weight. Considerable experience is available inthe art in the administration of antibody or antigen binding fragmentand conjugate drugs; for example, antibody drugs have been marketed inthe U.S. since the approval of RITUXAN® in 1997. A CAR, or T cellexpressing a CAR, antibodies, antigen binding fragments and conjugatesthereof can be administered by slow infusion, rather than in anintravenous push or bolus. In one example, a higher loading dose isadministered, with subsequent, maintenance doses being administered at alower level. For example, an initial loading dose of 4 mg/kg antibody orantigen binding fragment (or the corresponding dose of a conjugateincluding the antibody or antigen binding fragment) may be infused overa period of some 90 minutes, followed by weekly maintenance doses for4-8 weeks of 2 mg/kg infused over a 30 minute period if the previousdose was well tolerated.

Controlled release parenteral formulations can be made as implants, oilyinjections, or as particulate systems. For a broad overview of proteindelivery systems see, Banga, A. J., Therapeutic Peptides and Proteins:Formulation, Processing, and Delivery Systems, Technomic PublishingCompany, Inc., Lancaster, Pa., (1995). Particulate systems includemicrospheres, microparticles, microcapsules, nanocapsules, nanospheres,and nanoparticles. Microcapsules contain the therapeutic protein, suchas a cytotoxin or a drug, as a central core. In microspheres, thetherapeutic is dispersed throughout the particle. Particles,microspheres, and microcapsules smaller than about 1 μm are generallyreferred to as nanoparticles, nanospheres, and nanocapsules,respectively. Capillaries have a diameter of approximately 5 μm so thatonly nanoparticles are administered intravenously. Microparticles aretypically around 100 μm in diameter and are administered subcutaneouslyor intramuscularly. See, for example, Kreuter, J., Colloidal DrugDelivery Systems, J. Kreuter, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y.,pp. 219-342 (1994); and Tice & Tabibi, Treatise on Controlled DrugDelivery, A. Kydonieus, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, N.Y., pp.315-339, (1992).

Polymers can be used for ion-controlled release of the CARs, or T cellsexpressing a CAR, antibody or antigen binding fragment or conjugatecompositions disclosed herein. Various degradable and nondegradablepolymeric matrices for use in controlled drug delivery are known in theart (Langer, Accounts Chem. Res. 26:537-542, 1993). For example, theblock copolymer, polaxamer 407, exists as a viscous yet mobile liquid atlow temperatures but forms a semisolid gel at body temperature. It hasbeen shown to be an effective vehicle for formulation and sustaineddelivery of recombinant interleukin-2 and urease (Johnston et al.,Pharm. Res. 9:425-434, 1992; and Pec et al., J. Parent. Sci. Tech.44(2):58-65, 1990). Alternatively, hydroxyapatite has been used as amicrocarrier for controlled release of proteins (Ijntema et al., Int. J.Pharm. 112:215-224, 1994). In yet another aspect, liposomes are used forcontrolled release as well as drug targeting of the lipid-capsulateddrug (Betageri et al., Liposome Drug Delivery Systems, TechnomicPublishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, Pa. (1993)). Numerous additionalsystems for controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins are known (seeU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,055,303; 5,188,837; 4,235,871; 4,501,728; 4,837,028;4,957,735; 5,019,369; 5,055,303; 5,514,670; 5,413,797; 5,268,164;5,004,697; 4,902,505; 5,506,206; 5,271,961; 5,254,342 and 5,534,496).

G. Kits

In one aspect, kits employing the CARs disclosed herein are alsoprovided. For example, kits for treating a tumor in a subject, or makinga CAR T cell that expresses one or more of the CARs disclosed herein.The kits will typically include a disclosed antibody, antigen bindingfragment, conjugate, nucleic acid molecule, CAR or T cell expressing aCAR as disclosed herein. More than one of the disclosed antibodies,antigen binding fragments, conjugates, nucleic acid molecules, CARs or Tcells expressing a CAR can be included in the kit.

The kit can include a container and a label or package insert on orassociated with the container. Suitable containers include, for example,bottles, vials, syringes, etc. The containers may be formed from avariety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container typicallyholds a composition including one or more of the disclosed antibodies,antigen binding fragments, conjugates, nucleic acid molecules, CARs or Tcells expressing a CAR. In several embodiments the container may have asterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenoussolution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermicinjection needle). A label or package insert indicates that thecomposition is used for treating the particular condition.

The label or package insert typically will further include instructionsfor use of a disclosed antibodies, antigen binding fragments,conjugates, nucleic acid molecules, CARs or T cells expressing a CAR,for example, in a method of treating or preventing a tumor or of makinga CAR T cell. The package insert typically includes instructionscustomarily included in commercial packages of therapeutic products thatcontain information about the indications, usage, dosage,administration, contraindications and/or warnings concerning the use ofsuch therapeutic products. The instructional materials may be written,in an electronic form (such as a computer diskette or compact disk) ormay be visual (such as video files). The kits may also includeadditional components to facilitate the particular application for whichthe kit is designed. Thus, for example, the kit may additionally containmeans of detecting a label (such as enzyme substrates for enzymaticlabels, filter sets to detect fluorescent labels, appropriate secondarylabels such as a secondary antibody, or the like). The kits mayadditionally include buffers and other reagents routinely used for thepractice of a particular method. Such kits and appropriate contents arewell known to those of skill in the art.

EXAMPLES

This invention is further illustrated by the following examples, whichare not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon thescope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood thatresort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, andequivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, maysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appendedclaims.

Example 1

Derivation of human BCMA-Specific Binders from a Fully Human YeastDisplay Library

Materials and Methods:

A large yeast display human naive single chain variable fragment (ScFv)antibody library was used to isolate anti-human BCMA antibodiesdescribed herein. The library was constructed using a collection ofhuman antibody gene repertoires from more than 60 individuals. Threerounds of magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) were performed toenrich human ScFv binders to the recombinant human BCMA (ectodomain)-Fc.For the first round of yeast library panning, the yeast display ScFvlibrary (5×10¹⁰ cells) was incubated with 5 μg/ml BCMA-Fc in 15 ml PBSA(consisting of 0.1% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in Dulbecco'sphosphate-buffered saline (PBS) buffer), at room temperature on arotator for 1.5 hours. After two times washing with 25 ml PBSA, theyeast library mix was incubated with 100 μL Protein G microbeads(Miltenyi Biotec) at room temperature on a rotator for 30 minutes. Afterone time washing, the library mix was resuspended in 50 ml of PBSA andloaded onto the MACS cell separation column (LS column). After threetimes washing with 10 ml PBSA. The yeast displayed ScFv binders to thecolumn were then eluted two times with 2 ml PBSA. These eluted yeastcells were combined and then resuspended into 50 ml SDCAA medium (20 gD-glucose, 6.7 g BD Difco™ Yeast Nitrogen Base without Amino Acids, 5 gBacto™ Casamino Acids, 5.4 g Na₂.HPO₄, and 8.56 g NaH₂PO₄.H₂O in 1 Lwater) and amplified with shaking at 225 rpm at 30° C. for 20 hours. Theamplified pool was then induced in SGCAA medium (consisting of the samecomposition of SDCAA medium, but containing galactose instead ofglucose), with shaking at 225 rpm at 30° C. for another 16 hours andused for next round of panning. The same process was repeated two moretimes to enrich the BCMA-Fc specific binders.

To further enrich the binders with higher affinity and betterspecificity, FACS based sorting was employed to isolate the strongestbinders from the pool. The induced pool was incubated with 0.1 μg/ml ofbiotinylated BCMA-Fc at room temperature for 1 hour and then stainedwith Anti-c-Myc-Alexa 488 and Streptavidin-PE conjugates, the top 1% ofthe pool with the highest PE versus FITC signal was gated and sorted.The sorted pool was amplified in SDCAA medium and yeast plasmid DNA wasextracted and transformed into bacterial for single clone DNAsequencing. 50 random clones were sequenced and 48 unique sequences wereidentified. 17 clones designated as MTB-1, MTB-2, MTB-3, MTB-4, MTB-5,MTB-14, MTB-15, MTB-16, MTB-25, MTB-28, MTB-37, MTB-39, MTB-40, MTB-49,MTB-50, MTB-4-12 and MTB-4-45 were cloned into CAR constructs for CAR-Tfunction screening.

Example 2

Generation and Testing of BCMA-Targeting CAR T Constructs IncorporatingFully Human Binder ScFv Sequences

This Example 2 describes the creation of a CAR T cells targeting thetumor antigen BCMA for the treatment if MM and other BCMA-positivemalignancies.

Schema of BCMA CAR design is shown in FIG. 1. Fully human ScFv binderstargeting BCMA were linked in frame to CD8 hinge and transmembranedomain, 4-1BB costimulatory domain and CD3 zeta activation domain. CARsequences were incorporated into third-generation lentiviral vectors andwhich were used in transduction of human primary T cells to generate theBCMA CAR T cells.

Table 1 below lists the BCMA CAR constructs built, designated by ScFvsequence used in CAR design in the left column, and the correspondingdesignation of the ScFv clone nomenclature in each construct in theright column.

TABLE 1 List of ScFv Clones used in CAR designs ScFv SequenceDesignation ScFv Clone nomenclature sequence 1 MTB-1 sequence 2 MTB-2sequence 3 MTB-3 sequence 4 MTB-4 sequence 5 MTB-5 sequence 14 MTB-14sequence 15 MTB-15 sequence 16 MTB-16 sequence 25 MTB-25 sequence 28MTB-28 sequence 37 MTB-37 sequence 39 MTB-39 sequence 40 MTB-40 sequence49 MTB-49 sequence 50 MTB-50 sequence 4-12 MTB-4-12 sequence 4-45MTB-4-45

The surface expression of anti-BCMA CARs incorporating single chainfragment variable (ScFv) sequences, is shown in FIG. 2. The expressionlevel for each ScFv-containing CAR was determined by flow cytometricanalysis of LV-transduced T cells from healthy donors using eitherProtein L detection method, or the BCMA—Fc method. In a Protein Ldetection method, CAR T cells and controls were stained in a two-stepprocedure with: step 1) protein L-biotin conjugate, followed by step 2)streptavidin—PE reagent. In a BCMA-Fc method, cells were stained with:step 1: BCMA-Fc peptide; followed by step 2: anti-Fc APC reagent.Results from both methods were taken into account when analyzing CARexpression. All CAR constructs were successfully expressed in humanprimary T cells, with the exception of CAR construct with ScFv sequence15, which could not be detected by either of the staining methods (FIG.2). Untransduced cells (UTD) were used as a negative staining controlindicating the specificity of CAR T staining. Next, the cytolyticfunction of anti BCMA CARs was evaluated in a luciferase-based killingassay (FIG. 3).

CAR T cells were incubated with multiple myeloma BCMA-positive tumorlines RPMI-8226-luc, or MM1.S-luc, or with a BCMA-negative line293T-luc, in order to control for non-specific CAR activation.

Effector CART cells and tumor cells were combined at effector to target(E:T) ratio of 5:1 or 10:1 in order to compare and contrast the potencyof the different CAR constructs (FIG. 3). RPMI-8226 cells were mostsusceptible cell line to BCMA CAR-mediated tumor killing, with most CARconstructs achieving over 40% tumor lysis at the lowest E:T ratio of 5(FIG. 3A), except for CARS containing ScFv sequence 1, sequence 2,sequence 15, or sequence 25, whereas the negative control untransduced Tcells, the UTD group, caused no appreciable tumor lysis (FIG. 3A). Inmultiple myeloma MM1.S cells, which are less susceptible to cytolysis,strong killing function of CARs with ScFv sequence 5, sequence 16,sequence 37, and sequence 40 was observed, but not for the otherconstructs. The UTD group caused no appreciable tumor killing,indicating that the killing is CAR-specific (FIG. 3B). No killing of293T cells, which lack the BCMA target antigen was seen, indicating thespecificity of killing response (FIG. 3C).

Based on these results, CAR T constructs D0084, D0085, D0087, D0099,D0100, incorporating ScFv binder sequences 5, 16, 37, 40, 4-12, and4-45, respectively, were used for further testing (Table 2).

TABLE 2 CAR Construct Numbers and the Corresponding ScFv sequences CARScFv Construct LTG Sequence Number Number Designation D0084 LTG2860sequence 5 D0085 LTG2861 sequence 16 D0086 LTG2862 sequence 37 D0087LTG2863 sequence 40 D0099 LTG2944 sequence 4-12 D0100 LTG2945 sequence4-45

Next, expression of BCMA CAR constructs was evaluated by transduction ofhuman CD4+CD8+ T cells at a fixed multiplicity of infection of 40 (FIG.4). T cells were isolated from a human buffy coat product and transducedwith lentiviral vectors encoding the CARs as described in Materials andMethods. CAR+ T cells were detected using BCMA-Fc peptide, followed byanti-Fc APC. Cells were counterstained with CD8 antibody-FL in order toconfirm CAR expression among CD8+ and CD8− (CD4+) T cells. Allconstructs were expressed robustly, in CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells. Thetotal CAR expression frequencies ranged from 19.5% to 49.3% (FIG. 4).Data for one representative donor out of three transduction experimentsis shown.

Then, CAR constructs D0084, D0085, D0087, D0099, D0100 were compared interms of their tumor cytolytic capacity in a luciferase-based killingassay. Target lines stably expressing firefly luciferase were used, asabove. CAR T cells from two separate donors are shown in order todemonstrate robustness and reproducibility of the results (FIG. 5).

Robust killing capacity of CARs D0084, D0085, D0087, D0099, D0100 wasdemonstrated in the BCMA-positive multiple myeloma cell lines MM1.S andRPMI-8226. No appreciable killing was observed in UTD negative controlgroups, indicating the dependence of the killing on CAR expression.Moreover, no killing was seen against BCMA-negative 293T cells,demonstrating that the killing is BCMA-dependent (FIG. 5).

Example 3

In Vivo Testing of BCMA-Targeting CAR T Constructs Incorporating FullyHuman Binder ScFv Sequences

Example 3 describes long-term in vitro, and xenograft model in vivoevaluation of a CAR T cells targeting the tumor antigen BCMA for thetreatment in multiple myeloma and other BCMA-positive malignancies.These testing modalities provide a more stringent environment for CAR Tevaluation, and better approximate the conditions that CAR T cells mayencounter in human patients.

Note: for clarity and brevity, in this and the following Examples, onezero was omitted form CAR construct names shown in Table 2. Therefore,CAR construct D0100 became D100, CAR construct D0085 became D085, etc.

Materials and Methods

T-Cell Transduction and Culture

Primary CD4 and CD8 T-cells were activated with TransAct (MiltenyiBiotec, Auburn Calif.) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Thecells were cultured overnight at a density of 1 e6 cells/ml in TexMACSmedia (Miltenyi Biotec) supplemented with 30 U/ml of recombinant humanIL-2 (Miltenyi Biotec). After 18-24 hours, the T-cells were transducedwith lentiviral vectors containing the CAR constructs. The T-cells wereincubated with the lentiviral vectors for 2 days, and the cultures weresubsequently washed and re-suspended in fresh TexMACS media with IL-2and maintained at a density of 0.5e6 cells/ml. On day 6 or 7 after thestart of T-cell culture, the cell surface expression of the CARs wasassessed by flow cytometry.

Flow Cytometry Staining

To assess the cell surface expression of BCMA CARs, 0.5-1e6 CAR T-cellswere resuspended in FACs buffer (Miltenyi Biotec's autoMACS RinsingSolution+MACS BSA Stock Solution) and incubated with 0.5 ug ofrecombinant human BCMA Fc Chimera Protein (RNDsystems) for 20 mins at 4°C. Cells were washed twice and re-suspended in FACs buffer and incubatedfor 20 mins at 4° C. with anti-Fc-Alexa Fluor 647 at 1:200 dilution.Cells were again washed twice and resuspended in FACs buffer andincubated for 20 mins at 4° C. with anti-CD4-Vioblue oranti-CD8-Viogreen (Miltenyi Biotec) at 1:50 dilution and 7AAD at 1:20dilution. Cells were subsequently washed and analyzed using theMACSQuant® Analyzer 10 flow cytometer (Miltenyi Biotec).

For exhaustion marker staining, CAR T-cells were resuspended in FACsbuffer and incubated with anti-PD-1-Pevio770 (Miltenyi Biotec) andanti-LAG-3-APC (Biolegend) at 1:30 dilution. Memory markers were stainedby incubating CAR T-cells with anti-CD45RO-Pevio770, anti-CD45RA-APC,and CD62L-PE (Miltenyi Biotec) at 1:30 dilution. For both exhaustion andmemory staining panels, cells were additionally stained withCD8-Viogreen, CD3-Vioblue, and 7AAD. Cells were incubated with theantibodies for 20 mins at 4° C., and subsequently washed then acquiredusing the MACSQuant Analyzer 10 flow cytometer.

For intracellular cytokine staining, T-cells were incubated with targetcells for 5-6 hours at 37° C. in the presence of Brefeldin A (BDBiosciences, CA). Cells were subsequently stained as previouslydescribed with cell surface markers CD8-Viogreen and CD3-Vioblue. Aftercell surface staining, cells were fixed and permeabilized withFixation/Permeabilization Solution Kit (BD Biosciences) according to themanufacturer's protocol. Cells were then stained withanti-IFN-gamma-APC, anti-TNF-APCvio770, and IL-2-PE (Miltenyi Biotec) atdilutions suggested by the manufacturer. After staining, cells wereanalyzed using the MACSQuant Analyzer 10 flow cytometer.

Long-Term Co-Culture

For the long term co-culture experiment, CAR T-cells were co-culturedwith target cells, MM1.S or RPMI-8226 expressing GFP, at an ETT ratio of0.1-0.3. The cells were cultured in 6-well plates with TexMACS mediathat was either treated with 10 ng/ml of human recombinant TGF-β(Miltenyi Biotec) or remained untreated. The co-culture was fed byadding TGF-β-treated media or untreated media every 2-3 days. Theabsolute counts of T-cells and target cells at different time pointsduring the long-term co-culture was assessed by quantifying the numberof CD3+ cells and GFP+ cells using flow cytometry. The absolute countswere determined by normalizing the number of acquired cells usingCountBright Absolute Counting Beads (Molecular Probes). When less than15% of the target cells remained, T-cells from the co-culture were addedto fresh target cells at an ETT ratio of 0.1-0.3 to initiate thesubsequent round of co-culture. Additional rounds of co-culture weredone until the T-cells no longer proliferated.

In Vivo Tumor Model

Female 7 to 8-week old NSG mice (NOD.Cg-Prkd^(scid)Il2rg^(tm1Wj)l/SzJ)from Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me.) were intradermally injected onthe abdomen with 8e6 RPMI-8226 cells. T-cells were intravenouslyinjected after the tumors were allowed to engraft for 18-20 days andhave reached volume sizes of >60 mm³ as measured via caliper. For groupsreceiving CAR T-cells, 5e6 CAR T-cells were infused, and the differencesin CAR expression levels between groups were normalized by adjusting thenumber of total T-cells that was injected. The number of T-cells thatwas infused in the UTD group was the mean of the total T-cells that wasinjected in the CAR T-cell groups. On day 6-7 after T-cell infusion, 3-5mice from each group (except the untreated group) were sacrificed fortumor harvest, while the rest were monitored for tumor progression andsurvival. Tumor sizes and body weights were measured every 2-3 days.Mice with tumor sizes reaching >1200 mm were sacrificed.

CAR constructs D100 and D085 were compared side-by side in a long-termco-incubation with targets in vitro. This assay facilitates long-termexposure of CAR-T cells to target antigens such as may occur in vivo andin the clinic, and may help identify critical differences in long-termfunction of CAR T cells. D100 and D085 CARs were comprised CD8extracellular and transmembrane domain, 4-1BB/CD137 co-stimulationdomain and CD3 activation domains, and differed only in the scFvsequence (FIG. 6A). Both CAR constructs achieved robust expression atMOI (multiplicity of infection) 10, 20, or 40. CAR T lines with similarCAR surface expression were chosen for the long term assay: 84.6% forD100, 81.5% for D085, (FIG. 6B).

CAR T and target cells were combined at the beginning of the first roundof co-culture at E:T ratio of 0.1:1, then fresh target RPMI-8226 cellswere spiked into the culture at the beginning of each consecutive round,to replace target cells which have been killed by CAR T cells, andmaintain the desired E:T ratio (FIG. 6C). The BCMA CAR D100 demonstratedgreater T cell expansion in the 1^(st), 3^(rd), and 4^(th) round of thelong-term co-culture as compared to CAR D085 (FIG. 6D). In addition, CARD100 mediated superior target cell killing in the long term, as seen inthe 4^(th) co-culture round (FIG. 6E). Of note, in the course of the20-day co-culture period, the percentage of CD8+ T cell subsets of bothCAR D085 and D100 continued to increase, whereas the percentage of CD4+T in CAR D085 and D100 populations decreased, especially at the laterstages of co-incubation (FIG. 6F). This is to be expected, as CD8+ Tcells are known to dominate the later stages of the anti-tumor response.However, the percentage of both CD4+ T and CD8+T subsets in CAR100co-cultures with target cells remained higher than the respective T cellsubsets in CAR085 (FIG. 6F). Finally, the production of inflammatorycytokines IL-2, and TNFa crucial for CAR T function, was greater in theCAR100 T cells, as compared to CAR085, whereas the levels of IFNγ weresimilar (FIG. 6G). Overall, the BCMA CAR D100 demonstrated superiortarget cell killing, expansion of CD4+T and CD8+T subsets, and cytokineelaboration, as compared to the BCMA CAR D085.

The in vivo anti-tumor function of BCMA CAR D085 and D100 were thenevaluated in an RPMI-8226 intradermal xenograft mouse model. Mice wereimplanted with RPMI-8226 cells seventeen days prior to CAR Tadministration. Mice with established RPMI-8226 were treated with CAR Tcells or untransduced cells (UTD) intravenously, and maintained fortumor progression analysis. Tumors were harvested from a subset of micein each group six days after CAR administration, for CAR T functionanalysis (FIG. 7A). Tumor progression as recorded for a period of fiftydays after tumor implant (FIG. 7B). Whereas both CAR D085 and CAR100mediated tumor rejection in this xenograft model, the BCMA CAR D100 wasmore efficient and reduced tumor size to below the detection limit bystudy day 35, whereas in mice treated with CAR D085 tumors shrunk butwere still detectable at the conclusion of the observation period (FIG.7B). CAR D100 and CAR D085 both mediated 100% survival in this model, incontrast to untreated mice and the negative UTD control mice which havemet sacrifice criteria (FIG. 7C). Therefore, CAR 100 was superior inanti-tumor function to CAR D085 in vivo, and showed no adverse toxicity.

An additional CAR candidate, CAR D153, was developed utilizing an scFvsequence 4-1c. The 4-1c scFv sequence was derived as described inExample 1. The 4-1c scFv sequence was incorporated into an identical CARarchitecture to that used in CAR D100 and D085 as shown in FIG. 6A.Transduction of CAR D153 lentiviral vector into primary human T cellsachieved comparable CAR expression levels to CAR D085 and CARD100 (FIG.8A). Moreover, CAR D153 mediated potent lysis of BCMA-positive multiplemyeloma target cell lines RPMI-8226 and MM1.S, similarly to CAR D100 andCARD085 (FIG. 8B). In the intradermal xenograft RPMI-8226 in vivo model(FIG. 7A), CAR D153 demonstrated potency equal or greater to that of theBCMA CAR D100 (FIG. 8C). Therefore, CAR D153 represents another highlyefficient candidate for the treatment of BCMA-positive malignancies.

Example 4

Generation and Testing of an Armored BCMA CAR Incorporating a TGFβ DecoyReceptor for Improved CAR Potency in Suppressive Tumor Microenvironment.

Example 4 describes the development and characterization of an armoredBCMA CAR incorporating a TGFBRII DN, a dominant-negative form of the TGFreceptor, for superior anti-tumor performance.

Materials and Methods

Generation of the TGFβRII Dominant Negative BCMA CAR

The sequence of the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the humanTGFPRII (GenBank ID: AHI94914.1, amino acid residues 1-191), was cloneddownstream of the BCMA D100 CAR. The CAR and the TGFPRII sequences wereseparated by a ribosome skip site (P2A), which was derived from theporcine teschovirus-1 polyprotein (AA 976-997, GenBank ID: CAB40546.1,mutated residue P977S). P2A is flanked on each side with a furincleavage site (amino acids: RAKR). All DNA sequences werecodone-optimized (IDT DNA, Coralville, Iowa).

Results

Clinical studies have revealed that resistance to BCMA CAR T therapy mayemerge due to tumor-suppressive microenvironment, in part in the bonemarrow. To better equip the BCMA CAR T cells for tumor-suppressivescenarios, the D100 CAR sequence has been combined with a decoy TGFβreceptor, to generate an armored BCMA CAR (FIG. 9A). The TGFBRII DNdecoy receptor is comprised of the extracellular ligand binding domainand the transmembrane region of the TGFβRII, but lacks the intracellularsignaling kinase domain of the TGFβ receptor. The BCMA CAR100 and theTGF decoy sequence were combined in a bicistronic expression cassette ina lentiviral vector backbone under the control of EF-1α promoter, tofacilitate equal co-expression of both the CAR and the decoy receptorpolyproteins in T cells (FIG. 9A). This armored BCMA CAR construct istermed D158. Successful transduction of the D158 construct into humanprimary T cells was achieved (FIG. 9B). To evaluate the armored BCMA CARD158 function, an experimental co-culture with RPMI-8226 target cellswas performed for two rounds of target addition (FIG. 9C). CAR D100,which shares the CAR sequence with the armored CAR construct D158, butlacks the armored decoy element, was included for comparison (FIG. 9D,9E). A subset of co-cultures was treated with 10 ng/ml soluble TGFduring co-incubation, to mimic the immunosuppressive tumormicroenvironment. In both the first and the second round ofco-incubation, the expansion of D100 BCMA CAR in the presence of solubleTGFβ was suppressed as compared to TGFβ-free culture. By contrast, theexpansion of the armored BCMA CAR construct D158 remained unaffected byTGF addition (FIG. 9D). Subsequently, target cell counts remainedsimilarly repressed between experimental groups in the first round ofco-incubation, but have resurged in the second round in CAR 100 groupspiked with soluble TGFβ, whereas the armored CAR maintained strongrepression of tumor cells expansion regardless of TGF additionthroughout the experiment (FIG. 9E). These findings demonstrate theprotective effects of TGF armored BCMA CAR T cells in TGFβ-rich, T-cellsuppressive tumor environment.

The sources of TGF in tumor microenvironment may include the tumor cellsor the stromal cells, The RPMI-8226 multiple myeloma cells are capableof producing TGF in its inactive form (FIG. 10A), which may then beconverted to its active form by other elements of tumor microenvironmentin vivo.

The armored BCMA CAR D158 and the respective non-armored D100 BCMA CARwere evaluated in the RPMI-8226 intradermal xenograft model in vivo(FIG. 10B). Despite an unexpected anti-tumor effect observed in the micetreated with untransduced T cells (UTD), the armored CAR D158demonstrated a superior tumor control as compared to the non-armored CARversion with same CAR sequence, D100 (FIG. 10C). Both the armored CARD158 and the non-armored CAR D100 mediated 100% survival in this mousemodel (FIG. 10D). In tumor tissue harvested six days after CARadministration, tumors of mice treated with the armored BCMA CAR D158contained greater absolute T cell counts (FIG. 10E), and T cellpercentage (FIG. 10F) than tumors of mice treated with the non-armoredCAR D100. In addition, the armored CAR D158 mediated greater PD-1expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) (FIG. 10G), andgreater TIL memory cell fraction (FIG. 10H). These observations point toa stronger T cell activation and greater memory formation by the armoredCAR D158, as compared to the non-armored CAR D100. Overall, the armoredBCMA CAR D158 demonstrates a more potent anti-tumor activity in vivo ascompared to the non-armored CAR D100, greater tumor infiltration,stronger activation and memory formation. All these features suggest apotential greater clinical benefit of the armored CAR D158.

Each of the applications and patents cited in this text, as well as eachdocument or reference cited in each of the applications and patents(including during the prosecution of each issued patent; “applicationcited documents”), and each of the PCT and foreign applications orpatents corresponding to and/or claiming priority from any of theseapplications and patents, and each of the documents cited or referencedin each of the application cited documents, are hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference, and may be employed in the practice ofthe invention. More generally, documents or references are cited in thistext, either in a Reference List before the claims, or in the textitself; and, each of these documents or references (“herein citedreferences”), as well as each document or reference cited in each of theherein cited references (including any manufacturer's specifications,instructions, etc.), is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

The foregoing description of some specific embodiments providessufficient information that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily modify or adapt for various applications such specificembodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore,such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology orterminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not oflimitation. In the drawings and the description, there have beendisclosed exemplary embodiments and, although specific terms may havebeen employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope ofthe claims therefore not being so limited. Moreover, one skilled in theart will appreciate that certain steps of the methods discussed hereinmay be sequenced in alternative order or steps may be combined.Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art willrecognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routineexperimentation, many equivalents to the embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Such equivalents are encompassed by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating a BCMA-expressing multiplemyeloma in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprisingadministering to the human subject a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising an anti-tumor effective amount of a population of T cells,wherein each cell of the population of T cells comprises a nucleic acidsequence that encodes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), wherein the CARcomprises at least one extracellular antigen binding domain comprising aBCMA antigen binding domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO: 78, at least one linker or at least one spacer domain, at least onetransmembrane domain, at least one intracellular signaling domain,wherein the nucleic acid comprises a promoter operably linked to the CARencoding sequence, and thereby treating the BCMA-expressing multiplemyeloma of the human subject.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one transmembrane domain comprises a transmembrane domain of aprotein selected from the group consisting of: a T-cell receptor (TCR)alpha chain, a TCR beta chain, a TCR zeta chain, a CD8, a CD28, a CD3epsilon, a CD45, a CD4, a CD5, a CD8, a CD9, a CD16, a CD22, a CD33, aCD37, a CD64, a CD80, a CD86, a CD134, a CD137 and a CD154.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one extracellular antigenbinding domain comprising the BCMA antigen binding domain, the at leastone intracellular signaling domain, or both are connected to the atleast one transmembrane domain by the at least one linker or the atleast one spacer domain.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at leastone linker or the at least one spacer domain is obtained from theextracellular domain of CD8, TNFRSF19, or CD28, and is linked to the atleast one transmembrane domain.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one extracellular antigen binding domain comprising the BCMAantigen binding domain is preceded by a leader nucleotide sequenceencoding a leader peptide.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one intracellular signaling domain further comprises a CD3 zetaintracellular domain.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acidsequence encoding the BCMA antigen binding domain comprises a nucleicsequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 77 or 105, or a sequence with 85%, 90%,95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one intracellular signaling domain comprises acostimulatory domain, a primary signaling domain, or any combinationthereof.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the costimulatory domaincomprises a functional signaling domain selected from the groupconsisting of OX40, CD70, CD27, CD28, CD5, ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18),ICOS (CD278), DAP10, DAP12, and 4-1BB (CD137).